EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – It is incredibly easy to build hype around a clash between the last two winners of the UEFA Champions League. However, that excitement quickly turned to disappointment as Paris Saint-Germain decisively defeated Real Madrid 4-0 in the semifinals of the Club World Cup on Wednesday, marking a significant low point for the Spanish side.

Luis Enrique’s team injected energy into MetLife Stadium early with Fabian Ruiz scoring just six minutes into the match, followed by a swift goal from Ousmane Dembele in the ninth minute. Ruiz later solidified the lead with a second goal in the 24th minute, leaving Madrid fans in disbelief and boos echoed as the halftime whistle confirmed a dire situation.

Alonso stated, “It’s the early days of this new age of Real Madrid. There’s plenty of margin for improvement.” Despite his optimism, it was clear the team’s lack of balance was evident as they struggled significantly during the match.

The match served as a wake-up call, revealing fundamental issues within Real Madrid’s squad that need addressing, particularly in terms of their stability and cohesiveness as a team as they head into a new season.