Two of the world’s biggest football clubs face off in the Club World Cup semifinals on Wednesday at MetLife Stadium, as UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain take on Real Madrid, the most successful team in European history.
The match also brings together two Ballon d’Or contenders—Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele—though neither has started a game in the tournament so far due to minor injuries.
Instead, both teams have relied on emerging young talents, with Champions League final standout Désiré Doué leading the line for PSG and Real Madrid Castilla product Gonzalo García spearheading the attack for Los Blancos.
Both sides will also be without key defenders due to suspensions, the result of some reckless decisions in the quarterfinals that have left them short-handed for this high-stakes encounter.
We takes a closer look at the latest team updates and injury news as the showdown approaches.
PSG will be without young defender Willian Pacho, who received a red card for a reckless challenge on Leon Goretzka in the quarterfinal win over Bayern Munich—a major setback given his vital role in supporting their high press with exceptional recovery speed. Lucas Hernandez is also suspended after being sent off in the same match.
PSG vs. Real Madrid predicted lineups, team news.
On the attacking end, star winger Ousmane Dembele has returned from a thigh injury, making two substitute appearances and scoring in the last round against Bayern. While Bradley Barcola had been preferred up front, his recent dip in form combined with Dembele’s resurgence could prompt Luis Enrique to revert to the more familiar attacking trio used for most of the season.
Aside from these suspensions, PSG have their full squad available—a significant advantage for the reigning Champions League champions, who have dominated opponents all season. Yellow card accumulations have been reset heading into the semifinals.
PSG predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Donnarumma (GK) — Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes — Neves, Vitinha, F. Ruiz — Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Injured: None.
Suspended: Pacho (red card), L. Hernandez (red card).
Real Madrid will be without standout defender Dean Huijsen, who has impressed since arriving from Bournemouth but was needlessly sent off in stoppage time against Borussia Dortmund for a last-man foul. His suspension opens the door for either Raúl Asencio or Aurélien Tchouaméni to slot in at center-back.
Kylian Mbappé has come off the bench in the last two matches, but youth academy product Gonzalo García has taken the spotlight in his absence, finding the net in both knockout games and making a strong case to lead the line again.
Endrick has finally joined up with the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury and has begun training, though he wasn’t included in the Round of 16 matchday squad. Raúl Asencio is eligible again after serving a one-game suspension for a red card against Pachuca, but having remained an unused substitute against Juventus, he may no longer be in Xabi Alonso’s immediate plans.
Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy all remain sidelined with long-term injuries.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Asensio, F. Garcia — Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Guler — Vinicius Jr, G. Garcia.
Injured: Endrick (hamstring, doubt), Carvajal (knee), Camavinga (muscle), Mendy (muscle).
Suspended: Huijsen (red card)
