Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid: Line-ups, stats and preview
Paris Saint-Germain take on Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-finals tomorrow. Read our in-depth preview here...
Table of Contents
Preview for Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid
It would have made the dream Club World Cup final for FIFA and under-fire president Gianni Infantino but he will have to make do with a last-four clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
The European champions versus the Spanish superpower. Kylian Mbappe versus his former club with whom he is embroiled in a legal battle.
Chuck in the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Jude Bellingham, Vitinha and Vinicius Jr and it has all the ingredients for a fantastic contest with the winners going on to meet Chelsea or Fluminense in the final on Sunday.
Madrid edged past Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in their quarter-final in a hit-and-miss performance that summed up their summer in the United States. There were moments of promise for new boss Xabi Alonso but also periods where his side appeared a little confused as they tried to come to terms with the Spaniard’s approach.
@lukamodric10
5️⃣ @BellinghamJude pic.twitter.com/inDPpdHBCU— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) July 7, 2025
They will need to iron out those flaws if they are to stand a chance against Luis Enrique’s well-oiled machine.
PSG were impressive 2-0 winners against Bayern Munich in a match overshadowed by an awful injury to Bayern winger Jamal Musiala.
The European champions have continued their blistering end to the domestic and continental season in the US, winning every game bar one – a surprise 1-0 defeat to Botafogo – without conceding a goal.
They haven’t met Madrid since 2022 but one Blancos new-boy has bitter memories of playing them more recently.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was a part of the Liverpool side beaten by PSG in last season’s Champions League and the England right-back is expecting a tough afternoon in New York.
He told FIFA.com: “I played PSG last season and they were outstanding. Of course it’s going to be a difficult game. We’re both in the final four and we both deserve to be here.
“In knockout football, anyone can beat anyone. We’ll work hard to recover and prepare for a difficult game. Let’s see who comes out on top and who are the best team.”
Team News for Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid
Both sides have disciplinary issues with key players suspended.
Madrid are without new signing Dean Huijsen following his red card against Dortmund. Raul Asencio is expected to return to the side.
Mbappe is fit but not guaranteed to start due to the form of the tournament’s joint-leading goalscorer Gonzalo Garcia.
PSG are without two players – Lucas Hernandez and Willian Pacho, who are both banned.
Lucas Beraldo will come in for Pacho while Luis Enrique has to decide between the fit-again Dembele and Bradley Barcola.
Direction New York #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/1WxMjLeA4k
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) July 6, 2025
Expected line-ups for Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Mendes; Vitinha, Ruiz, Neves; Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Doue
Real Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, F Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Guler, Vinicius Jr, Mbappe
How to watch Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain versus Real Madrid kicks off at 8pm UK time on Wednesday evening. You can watch it on Channel 5, or on DAZN.
It is also being shown on the bet365 app.
Stats for Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid
- PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has the highest save percentage at 92.3%, which is 9.7% higher than the next-best ‘keeper
- PSG have kept a tournament-best four clean sheets
Prediction for Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid
Prior to the tournament, a lot was being made of the impact of Dembele and Mbappe but neither have been able to shine due to injury and illness.
They are both back and fully fit now, though, with the France colleagues no doubt desperate to make a contribution in the latter stages.
And with Mbappe having a personal grudge against his former employees adding an extra layer of spice, it should be a fascinating contest.
It could easily go either way with so much talent on show but we think PSG are a little further on in their development and may just edge it.
Prediction: PSG 2-1 Real Madrid