Going into the Club World Cup semi-final, most Paris Saint-Germain fans were nervous. Of course, having seen this team win the Champions League final by a 5-0 scoreline, they would have been confident. But then again, standing in their way was Real Madrid.
There is just something about Real Madrid. An almost magical ability to win important football games, even when they are not the 'better' team. Nobody should ever ruled them out.
Yet, what we saw on the pitch was even more unbelievable. PSG did not just beat Real Madrid, they completely outplayed them.
PSG were 3-0 up within 24 minutes and that was only because of Thibaut Courtois' heroics in goal. The game ultimately ended 4-0 and there were suggestions that Luis Enrique's side had taken their foot off the gas.
That is a suggestion the Spaniard does not agree with. He said: “We didn’t put the brakes on but of course with the heat, with the final in three days’ time, with cramp and the risk of tiredness, you act.
“The first thing is the objective, which is to reach the final and compete. But at no point do you put the brakes on.”
PSG certainly completed their objective and were rewarded with a place in the Club World Cup final. They will face Chelsea, a team on a decent run of results as well, but far less proven than Enrique's side in big games.
Image Credit - Paris Saint-Germain Football Club
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