FIFA Club World Cup: PSG thrash Atletico Madrid, Bayern demolish Auckland City-OxBig News Network

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich laid down emphatic markers in their opening matches at the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday. PSG dispatched Atletico Madrid 4-0 in a heavyweight all-European encounter in Pasadena, while Bayern Munich tore through amateur outfit Auckland City 10-0 in a ruthless display in Cincinnati.

PSG OUTCLASS ATLETICO

Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain began their Group B campaign in style, crushing LaLiga giants Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Rose Bowl. It was a performance that underscored their status as favourites, with Luis Enrique’s side showing no signs of slowing down after last month’s 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

The French champions struck first in the 19th minute when Fabian Ruiz unleashed a powerful long-range effort that flew past Jan Oblak into the top corner. PSG continued to dominate proceedings and doubled their advantage on the cusp of half-time. A poor miss from Antoine Griezmann at one end led to a swift counter-attack, which Vitinha finished expertly after using Goncalo Ramos as a decoy to carve open the Atletico defence.

Luis Enrique’s men, despite a packed 2024-25 schedule, looked fresh and full of ideas. It could have been 3-0 early in the second half but for a superb fingertip save from Oblak to deny Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Atletico believed they had pulled one back when Julian Alvarez slotted home in the 57th minute, but VAR ruled it out after determining Koke had fouled Desire Doue in the build-up – a decision greeted by sarcastic applause from Diego Simeone on the touchline.

Things went from bad to worse for the Spanish side. Clement Lenglet was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for dissent, and Alexander Sorloth squandered a golden opportunity, blazing over from close range with the goal at his mercy.

PSG capitalised on the numerical advantage, adding a third in the 87th minute when substitute Senny Mayulu rifled home at the near post. The rout was completed in stoppage time as Lee Kang-in converted from the penalty spot, sealing a statement victory for the Parisians.

BAYERN HIT DOUBLE FIGURES

Over in Cincinnati, Bayern Munich delivered a brutal 10-0 demolition of Oceania champions Auckland City – the largest margin of victory in the history of the men’s Club World Cup.

Kingsley Coman opened the scoring in the sixth minute, heading in at the far post from a Joshua Kimmich corner. What followed was a devastating three-goal blitz in the space of three minutes: Sacha Boey netted his first for the club with a driven finish, Michael Olise tapped in the third, and Coman added his second in the 21st minute.

Thomas Mller made it 5-0 just before half-time with a clinical volley following another Olise assist, before the French winger grabbed his second of the game with a beautifully curled strike from outside the box.

With Bayern firmly in control, head coach Vincent Kompany used the opportunity to rotate his squad, handing a senior debut to 17-year-old Lennart Karl.

“I wanted to give Karl his opportunity, he showed lots of quality, it was great for him and great for Bayern,” said Kompany.

“We have a strong basis from last season and we can still give young players an opportunity to succeed, he may play an important role in the next rounds.”

Second-half substitute Jamal Musiala made his return from injury in sensational fashion, scoring a hat-trick in just 17 minutes. He curled home a trademark finish in the 67th minute, converted a penalty he had won six minutes later, and capitalised on a defensive mistake to complete his treble in the 84th.

Mller then rounded off the scoring with Bayern’s tenth in the 89th minute, cementing a record-breaking result.

Despite the scoreline, Auckland City boss Ivan Vicelich remained proud of his side.

“Most of our players had to take time off work to be here,” he said. “To play against a team like Bayern is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”