Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals by overcoming Bayern Munich with a 2-0 victory in the quarter-finals. The goals from Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele were decisive for the French side, despite them finishing the match with only nine players after Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez were shown red cards. Bayern Munich winger Jamal Musiala suffered a concerning injury in the first half following a collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and had to leave the field.
Despite the tumultuous nature of the ninety minutes, PSG advanced and, although they will be without Pacho and Hernandez for the semi-final, they appear to be strong contenders for the overall title.
But if any team can prevent their victory, who is the most likely candidate? Let`s evaluate and rank the potential challengers capable of stopping the Champions League winners in their quest for global glory.
4. Borussia Dortmund (BVB)
The German club will face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final encounter against PSG on the horizon. Niko Kovac`s team navigated a decent path to the quarter-finals, but their performance against Real Madrid will be the true test of their capabilities in this summer tournament. Based on their progress so far, it seems improbable they could halt PSG this summer, though the return of Jobe Bellingham from suspension could enhance their prospects of reaching the final, provided they can get past Real Madrid.
3. Fluminense
The Brazilian side has emerged as a tournament surprise, particularly after defeating both Inter and Al-Hilal in the knockout stages. Fluminense is set to face Chelsea in the semi-final, meaning a meeting with PSG could only occur in the final. Luis Enrique`s PSG squad has demonstrated superior strength throughout the competition and would be favored to win should they face Fluminense in the final. Nevertheless, Fluminense has shown defensive resilience, conceding only one goal in their last three matches, and possesses the quality to challenge PSG effectively.
2. Chelsea
The English team secured their spot in the Club World Cup semi-finals through a dramatic 2-1 win against Palmeiras, sealed by an own goal. Chelsea established control early on, with Cole Palmer scoring his first tournament goal just 16 minutes in, beating his defender and slotting the ball home. Enzo Maresca`s side is anticipated to reach the final after facing Fluminense, but overcoming Luis Enrique`s team will be a significant challenge. Chelsea boasts considerable talent, even an abundance of it, but they might lack the collective coherence required to defeat this PSG lineup.
1. Real Madrid
The Spanish giants are arguably the most formidable opponent PSG could encounter in the tournament. If Xabi Alonso`s side triumphs over Borussia Dortmund, they will immediately face PSG in the semi-finals. Real Madrid is widely considered a co-favorite to win the summer tournament alongside PSG. French superstar Kylian Mbappe, the top scorer in La Liga this season, made his FIFA Club World Cup debut in the recent match against Juventus, having recovered from gastroenteritis. All attention will be on the Spanish league`s leading scorer, as this summer tournament represents Xabi Alonso`s side`s final opportunity to secure silverware this season before the next campaign begins in August.
