Just as FIFA had hoped, a titanic clash of European giants graces the 2025 Club World Cup semifinals as UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain take on 15-time continental kings Real Madrid on Wednesday.
It pits Europe's most successful club in Madrid against its newest darlings PSG, who finally summited the Champions League mountain after years of pushing for the title.
The winner of this match will not only reach the final against either Chelsea or Fluminense but will also bank a massive $30 million as part of FIFA's gargantuan prize pot for this competition.
With so much clout and so much money on the line, both teams will be pushing hard for a triumphant finish to what has been a brutally long and arduous season.
MORE: Predicted lineups, team news, and latest injury updates ahead of PSG vs. Real Madrid
PSG vs. Real Madrid prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: PSG (+135 on DraftKings)
- Score prediction: PSG 3-1 Real Madrid
While Real Madrid have shown improvement under Xabi Alonso, they remain a flawed team prone to mental errors. Their near-capitulation at the end of the quarterfinal against Borussia Dortmund proves even when protecting a healthy lead against an opponent which has not caused much trouble, Madrid are not safe until the final whistle blows.
PSG, on the other hand, are the best team in the world, propped up by a fantastic midfield that is capable of dominating Madrid's central areas. Vitinha and Joao Neves should control the match effectively, allowing their forwards to terrorize the opposition defense.
Missing Pacho is a big deal for PSG, but with Real Madrid having to replace both Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold at the back, their defensive absences are much more impactful.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along with minute-by-minute updates, highlights, and more from PSG vs. Real Madrid
| DraftKings (USA) | |
| PSG win | +130 |
| Draw | +260 |
| Real Madrid win | +190 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -220 N: +170 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals | O: +135 U: -170 |
| PSG to advance | -135 |
| Real Madrid to advance | +105 |
PSG vs. Real Madrid match facts
- Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
- Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
- Last meeting: Real Madrid 3-1 PSG (Mar. 9, 2022 | UEFA Champions League)
MORE: A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
PSG vs. Real Madrid best bet
- Pick: PSG over 1.5 total goals and Real Madrid over 0.5 goals
- Odds: +100 (DraftKings)
The biggest wrinkle to this match is the absence of each team's lynchpin defender due to suspension. PSG saw Willian Pacho shown a red card for a bad tackle in their chaotic quarterfinal against Bayern Munich, and while it didn't cost them victory on the weekend, it did leave them shorthanded for the semifinal.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, will be without new signing Dean Huijsen, who has been absolutely fantastic at the back since joining from Bournemouth but was needlessly sent off for a last-man foul at the end of their 3-2 quarterfinal win over Dortmund.
Both absences augur good things for the opposition attack. Huijsen's absence for Madrid means mistake-prone Raul Asencio will return to the XI, while Pacho is the cover for PSG's aggressive high press and his understudy Lucas Beraldo does not possess the same recovery speed.
While both teams are managed by extremely smart individuals who will do well to help cover for the missing players, and the stellar goalkeepers on both ends will have their say, this should be a highly offensive match with plenty of chances for both sides.
MORE: Schedule, results, and bracket for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
PSG vs. Real Madrid prop bet
- Pick: Vitinha to score or assist a goal
- Odds: +250 on FanDuel
While Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia do plenty of hard work up front for PSG, they are supported by maybe the world's best midfield trio. Vitinha, Neves, and Fabian Ruiz have combined brilliantly to topple the most effective opponents.
Neves has been a killer at the No. 6, but Vitinha is arguably the world's best passer. His exceptional distribution ranks him amongst the top such players in the world, and he produces 3.38 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, which puts him in the 88th percentile amongst all European midfielders — a top number considering he's only a No. 8 and not an attacking creator exclusively.
Vitinha's total of 2.58 expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes in Champions League play in 2024/25 places him just behind Doue's 2.78, and yet his odds to score or assist are double that of his attacking counterpart. Back Vitinha to slice up the Real Madrid midfield and put the ball on a platter for teammates.