PSG vs Atlético Madrid

PSG vs. Atlético Madrid: A Blockbuster Club World Cup Opener

This Sunday, history will be made as Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid clash in the first-ever all-European matchup at the Club World Cup, held at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The game kicks off at 12 PM local time, meaning fans in France and Spain can tune in at 9 PM to watch these two Group B heavyweights go head-to-head in their tournament opener.

With Botafogo and Seattle Sounders rounding out the group, PSG and Atlético are the clear favorites to advance—but one (or both) will have to stumble first.

A Debut for Both—But PSG Were Already Booked

This marks both clubs’ first appearance in the new-look Club World Cup, though PSG would’ve been here regardless after their Champions League triumph in May. Instead of this summer’s tournament, Luis Enrique’s side will compete in December’s revamped Intercontinental Cup—a format the manager knows well, having won it back in 2015 with Barcelona.

This year’s Club World Cup is a much bigger challenge, with seven matches standing between a team and glory—but few will arrive with more confidence than PSG.

PSG’s Historic Season

Enrique’s men enjoyed a near-perfect campaign:

• A 19-point romp to the Ligue 1 title

• A comfortable Coupe de France victory

• A record-breaking 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final

They finished the season with a staggering 152 goals—a joy to watch for neutrals, even if their defense wasn’t always airtight (just three clean sheets in their last 12 games).

Atlético’s Smash-and-Grab Mastery

When these two met in the Champions League group stage, Atlético pulled off a classic Simeone special:

• Outshot 22-4

• Just 30% possession

• Yet Ángel Correa snatched a 93rd-minute winner at the Parc des Princes

That win came during a rocky start for PSG—but the two clubs’ seasons diverged sharply afterward.

Atlético’s Fizzling Campaign

While PSG soared, Atlético’s season faded:

• A distant third in La Liga

• Early exits in the Champions League and Copa del Rey

• A late surge (six wins in their last nine, 19 goals in their final five victories) but with little left to fight for after April’s Copa semi-final defeat

Experience in a Similar Spotlight

Though this is Atlético’s first Club World Cup, they’re no strangers to global showdowns. Back in 1974, as European Cup runners-up (after Bayern Munich declined to participate), they beat Argentina’s Independiente 2-1 on aggregate to lift the Intercontinental Cup.

Now, 50 years later, Simeone’s men will look to channel that underdog spirit once again—while PSG aim to cap their historic season with one more trophy.