PSG 4–0 Atlético – Statement Made in the Rose Bowl

Gilbert Bita
3 days ago
2 min read

Pasadena, CA – June 15, 2025

Under the blazing California sun and in front of 80,619 roaring fans, PSG didn’t just beat Atlético Madrid — they made them look like the undercard. A 4–0 demolition in the opening round of the FIFA Club World Cup that felt less like a match and more like a warning to the rest of the world.

☀️ The First 15: Possession, Pressure, and a Purpose

PSG came out like a team with something to prove. In just 15 minutes, they held 82% of the ball. No hesitation. No mercy. Just total control. And when Fabián Ruiz let it rip from distance in the 19th minute? Oblak could only watch it fly into the corner. Cue liftoff.

😬 Griezmann’s Miss, Vitinha’s Moment

Atlético looked rattled. And just before halftime, they paid for it. Griezmann fluffed a golden chance. PSG pounced. One quick counter later, Vitinha was gliding past red-and-white shirts and slotting home for 2–0. The halftime whistle was mercy.

Halftime, and PSG were already up 2–0. One side smiling. The other hoping.
📸 Photo by Gilbert Bita — Halftime, and PSG were already up 2–0. One side smiling. The other hoping .📸 Photo by Gilbert Bita

🟥 Second Half: Frustration, Red Cards, and the Fall

Atlético tried to claw back into the match. VAR denied them a goal. Lenglet picked up a second yellow. Sørloth missed a sitter from point-blank range that’ll live forever on highlight reels—for all the wrong reasons.

Frustration set in. The cards came out. Atlético couldn’t stop the unraveling. 📸 Photo by Gilbert Bita

🔚 Mayulu & Lee Finish the Job

With Atlético reduced to 10, PSG turned the screw. Mayulu buried a scrappy finish in the 87th, and Kang-in Lee added a 97th-minute penalty. 4–0. Brutal. Beautiful. Complete.

There was no comeback. Atlético walked off as a team outplayed and outclassed. 📸 Photo by Gilbert Bita

🧠 Tactics, Talent, and a Message

Luis Enrique’s squad looked like a team that’s graduated from flashy promises to frightening execution. Even without Dembélé, the flow was fluid, the midfield unplayable, and Kvaratskhelia nearly made it 5 with a curling rocket. This wasn’t luck. This was a clinic.

Meanwhile, Atlético looked lost. 26% possession. One shot on target. A red card. A disallowed goal. A penalty given away. The stat sheet was ugly. The scoreboard even worse.

VAR said no. Atlético thought they were back in it — but instead, frustration and fouls took over. 📸 Photo by Gilbert Bita

🌎 The Rose Bowl Delivered

If you weren’t there, you missed a scene. From the waves in the stands to the tension on the pitch, the Rose Bowl felt like a World Cup dress rehearsal. It passed. With style.