PSG Faces Chelsea in 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final After Crushing Real Madrid. The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, where Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will take on Chelsea FC on Sunday, July 13, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
PSG secured their spot with a stunning 4-0 rout of Real Madrid in the semifinal on July 9, 2025, showcasing their dominance in a tournament that has seen them emerge as the team to beat.
Chelsea, fresh off a 2-0 victory over Brazil’s Fluminense, aim to claim their second Club World Cup title, having won in 2021. With a $1 billion prize pool and up to $125 million for the winner, the final promises high stakes and intense competition, amplified by the searing 90°F heat and a global audience tuning in via DAZN, TNT, and truTV.
PSG’s Dominant Path to the Final
PSG’s journey to the final has been nothing short of spectacular, marked by a 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in front of 77,542 fans at MetLife Stadium. Spanish midfielder Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the sixth minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Real’s Raúl Asencio, who dawdled on the ball, allowing Ousmane Dembélé to steal possession. Despite a foul by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, referee Szymon Marciniak played advantage, and Ruiz slotted home.
Three minutes later, Antonio Rüdiger’s miscontrol gifted Dembélé a clear run, and the French winger rifled past Courtois for his 35th goal of the season, bolstering his Ballon d’Or candidacy. Ruiz added his second in the 24th minute via a slick give-and-go with Achraf Hakimi, and substitute Gonçalo Ramos sealed the rout in the 88th minute with a counterattack goal, paying tribute to the late Diogo Jota with a video-game-inspired celebration.
PSG’s performance was a masterclass in pace, pressing, and precision, as noted by manager Luis Enrique: “We did a really good job and played a great match… It’s a beautiful moment for all Parisians.” The team’s last six knockout victories, including a 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan and a 2-0 quarterfinal triumph over Bayern Munich despite two red cards, have come without conceding a goal, underscoring their defensive solidity and attacking flair.
With stars like Vitinha, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, and Désiré Doué, PSG are chasing a historic quintuple, having already secured Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League in 2024-25.
Chelsea’s Road to the Final
Chelsea, under manager Enzo Maresca, earned their final berth with a 2-0 semifinal win over Fluminense, powered by a brace from new signing João Pedro. The English side, who finished second in Group D with two wins and one loss, also defeated SL Benfica 4-1 in extra time in the Round of 16 and Palmeiras 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
Maresca has used the tournament to test new signings and refine his possession-based style, with only 4.5% of Chelsea’s passes being long, the second-lowest rate in the competition behind Manchester City.
Pedro Neto’s three goals from fast breaks and Cole Palmer’s playmaking have been pivotal, though Maresca faces a tactical dilemma on whether to start João Pedro, Liam Delap, or Nicolas Jackson as the No. 9 against PSG’s formidable defense. Chelsea’s experience in high-stakes finals, including their 2021 Club World Cup triumph, makes them a dangerous opponent despite PSG’s favoritism.
The Stage: MetLife Stadium and Tournament Context
The final will unfold at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium, a venue set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final and known for its electric atmosphere, as seen during the 2024 Copa América. The 2025 Club World Cup, the first in its expanded 32-team format, has been a grueling test in the U.S. summer heat, with temperatures reaching 93°F during matches.
Despite concerns over the demanding schedule, both PSG and Chelsea have thrived, with the latter benefiting from an extra day’s rest after their Tuesday semifinal. Ticket prices for the final start at $312.20 via Ticketmaster, with premium seats ranging from $1,400 to $8,000, reflecting FIFA’s efforts to boost attendance after slashing prices for earlier rounds (e.g., Chelsea vs. Fluminense tickets dropped from $473.90 to $13.40). The $1 billion prize pool, with $30 million already secured for finalists and an extra $10 million for the winner, adds financial incentive to the prestige of the title.
Key Storylines and Global Impact
The final carries significant narratives. For PSG, a victory would cap a dream season, marking their first Club World Cup title and cementing their status as the world’s best team, as echoed by posts on X calling them a “juggernaut” (@apmahapatra). The match also pits Kylian Mbappé, now at Real Madrid, against his former club, though his lackluster semifinal performance highlighted PSG’s strength without him.
Real Madrid’s loss marked a bittersweet farewell for Luka Modrić, who played his 597th and final game for the club before joining AC Milan. Chelsea, meanwhile, aim to become the first English club to win the Club World Cup twice, leveraging their European experience against PSG’s relentless attack.
The match, kicking off at 3:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. BST), will be broadcast globally on DAZN, with U.S. viewers able to watch on TNT and truTV. Despite ticket price controversies and empty seats in earlier rounds, the final is expected to draw a capacity crowd, amplified by the venue’s history of hosting major events. As PSG chase history and Chelsea seek to upset the odds, the 2025 Club World Cup final promises to be a defining moment in club football, with global implications for the sport’s hierarchy.
