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Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
In Club World Cup, PSG Is Showing Off New Trait: Resilience
EDITORS NOTE: EDS: This is a sample of coverage from The Athletic. If you wish to receive a fuller package of stories from The Athletic, email nytlg-sales-all@ Felipe Cardenas is a senior soccer writer for The Athletic. Before the 2025 Champions League final, Paris St.-Germain was a side known for wilting under the pressure of high expectations. In previous years, even with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé in the starting lineup, PSG could not get past the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Manchester City in Europe's top club competition. On Saturday in Atlanta, in one of the most anticipated games of this novel Club World Cup, Bayern Munich, the intimidating German champions, pummeled PSG for nearly 80 minutes. PSG striker Désiré Doué ended the match battered and bloodied. For long stretches, Bayern's physical and relentless aggression tamed the talented French side. PSG had to dig even deeper after Doué's 78th-minute goal was followed by red cards for Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández. But resilience kept PSG alive. "We've spoken a lot about resilience, and we are a resilient team," PSG coach Luis Enrique said after the 2-0 win. "We're prepared to compete in any situation. The result doesn't matter. We suffered a lot during this past season. But we suffered together. "We weren't as efficient as we could've been, both during league play and in the Champions League. But we showed our team spirit. We fight together." The day before, Luis Enrique reminded the French press in Atlanta that they had often criticized his young team -- and particularly PSG's front line -- during the Ligue 1 season. Before its 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, PSG underwhelmed in the group stage and, initially, underachieved in Europe. Defeats by Atlético Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern led to a 15th-place finish in the table before the Champions League knockout round. Luis Enrique's side was not as well drilled as they appear today. For a while, it looked as if PSG and its Spanish coach were on the same path as his predecessors Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel -- big names who fell short. So after recovering to lift the Champions League trophy, PSG's next challenge was to sustain its success. The club embodied the type of European power that could have looked at the Club World Cup as a nuisance after a tiring season. Instead, as one of the youngest squads at the competition, PSG is rewriting its own history. Leading Bayern by 1-0 but down two men late on Saturday, PSG still pushed for a second goal. A team replete with young players like the 20-year-old Doué, the 22-year-old Bradley Barcola and the 20-year-old João Neves weathered Bayern's frenzied search for an equalizer in a stadium on the verge of bedlam after each attacking sequence. After a fantastic individual move by Achraf Hakimi, the second-half substitute Ousmane Dembélé smashed home the decisive second goal from close range six minutes into added time at the end. It was the culmination of a professional performance that was far from flawless. Bayern was sharper, but PSG's players had revenge on their minds. In soccer, those emotional motivators are often the difference when tactics and principles of play are so evenly matched. "Revenge? Maybe a little," Barcola said before the quarterfinal. "It's our biggest source of motivation right now." Barcola epitomizes the confidence that oozes from PSG's dressing room. It is not arrogance, although it can be mistaken as such. PSG is a brash outfit of highly skilled international players who do not want to be mentioned in the same breath as the club's disappointing sides of the past. A 1-0 loss at Bayern's Allianz Arena during the Champions League group stage in November was a turning point in PSG's season, Barcola said. At that point, PSG was on the ropes yet again in Europe. "It's really that feeling of revenge because we lost at their place," Barcola said. "It was very tough for us, even afterward, but that's why we really have the desire to win. I think it's that loss that hurt us. It made us realize that, at that moment, we didn't have many chances left to continue in the Champions League. And it motivated us even more to push even harder." PSG's win over Inter finally put an end to the notion that the perennial French champions were overqualified domestically but ill-prepared mentally for Europe's top club competition. Saturday's win over Bayern reinforced the point. "We can really learn from this match because it took us out of our comfort zone," PSG captain Marquinhos said. "We had a few chances that we missed and some dangerous balls that gave them some chances. These little things will help us grow moving forward. And this shows the mentality of our group, because that's something we talk about a lot. "Winning is already very difficult -- but continuing to win is even harder. That's the mentality we have." When Marquinhos was asked where the newfound attitude comes from, the Brazilian international wasted no time in crediting his manager. "Our coach -- he brought his philosophy, his mindset, and he prepared the team very well from the first day he arrived," Marquinhos said. "He started from scratch with how he wanted us to play. He worked on improving the team mentally so we'd be ready for anything that could happen during a match." It took time for PSG to adopt Luis Enrique's demands. The talent was there; this team is gifted at nearly every position. It rebuilt and reset after Mbappé left for Real Madrid. And the commitment to the collective over the individual star was a drastic shift from the PSG of old. Madrid is now next up for PSG, on Wednesday in a massive semifinal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. A reunion with Mbappé will fuel the run-up to the match. But can a battle-tested PSG go from conquering Europe to conquering the world? This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Copyright 2025
Khaleej Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Paris Saint-Germain shut down Bayern Munich, reach Clup World Cup semis
Desire Doué scored in the 78th minute, Ousmane Dembele added a second in stoppage time and Paris Saint-Germain sealed their place in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals with a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Bayern Munich on Saturday in Atlanta. Paris Saint-Germain played the closing minutes with just nine players after a pair of red cards and still added a goal to seal the victory. Referee Anthony Taylor dismissed Willian Pacho in the 82nd minute for his dangerous challenge on Bayern's Thomas Muller, and sent off Lucas Hernandez in the second minute of second-half stoppage time for an elbow in the direction of Raphael Guerreiro. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. But Doue and Dembele's first goals of the tournament were enough to seal a meeting in East Rutherford, N.J., on Wednesday with the winner of Saturday's second semifinal between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. Gianluigi Donnarumma made five saves to keep PSG's fourth clean sheet of the tournament. Bayern exits the tournament after being held scoreless for the first time, on a day when they lost Josip Stanisic and Jamal Musiala to first-half injuries. It was still 11-on-11 when Doue took Joao Neves' pass, created some space near the edge of the penalty area, then unleashed a left-footed strike that found the bottom right corner as Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer slipped while trying to change direction. Dembele doubled the advantage on a stunning foray forward despite the numerical disadvantage and some brilliant setup work by Achraf Hakimi, who beat three defenders off the dribble. Hakimi then fed Dembele in stride for a first-time low finish that left Neuer little chance. Bayern thought they had a chance to pull a late goal back when Taylor whistled for a penalty even later in stoppage time, only to reverse his decision following a video review. Musiala departed on a stretcher at halftime after suffering a gruesome ankle injury following a tangle for the ball with Donnarumma that did not show any signs of ill intent. Even Donnaruma was distraught after seeing the extent of Musiala's injury, which came in the final seconds of the first half. Twelve minutes earlier, Stanisic exited with an apparent hamstring injury. Donnaruma made a pair of exceptional first-half saves. In the 27th minute, he sprung to his right to parry Michael Olise's goal-bound effort from just beyond the corner of the 6-yard box. In the 41st, he sprawled the opposite direction to keep Aleksandar Pavlovic's effort -- an intended early cross that was inches in front of Musiala near the penalty spot -- from bounding inside the right post. Neuer was also called into action during the first half, thwarting Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's effort from close range at the near post with an outstretched arm in the 32nd minute. Four minutes into the second half, he dove left to deny Bradley Barcola on the break.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Yamal sparkles as Spain beats France in thrilling semifinal
Lamine Yamal won the battle of Ballon d'Or contenders by scoring twice as Spain eclipsed France 5-4 in their Nations League semifinal. The 17-year-old Yamal outshone French counterparts Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele on Thursday (June 5, 2025) as Spain initially ran riot against Didier Deschamps' tired-looking team to book its place in Sunday's final against Portugal. Portugal defeated host nation Germany 2-1 on Wednesday. Thursday's game had been billed as a contest between young stars, but it was clear that Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League win in Munich on Saturday had added more weight to French legs with PSG stars Doué and Dembélé disappointing. Highest scoring game It was the highest scoring game in the Nations League's short history, but three of the four French goals came after Yamal had made it 5-1 and the Spanish players eased up thinking the game was won. Kylian Mbappé scored what seemed a consolation from a penalty with France 4-0 down. Substitute Rayan Cherki scored late on his France debut after Yamal scored Spain's fifth, then Spain defender Daniel Vivian conceded an own goal, and Cherki set up fellow substitute Randal Kolo Muani in stoppage time as France ultimately came close to an improbable comeback. 'It was a great game. In the end it was a little close, but we played very well and I think deserved to win,' Yamal said. Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Yamal threaded the ball through to Mikel Oyarzabal, who held off two defenders and served it on a plate for Williams to rifle to the roof of the net. Mikel Merino, the hero when Spain last played in Stuttgart, made it 2-0 three minutes later after playing a one-two with Oyarzabal. Théo Hernandez struck the crossbar and Spain needed goalkeeper Unai Simón to deny Doué, then Mbappé and Dembélé. But Spain looked capable of scoring at any time. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen thought he'd scored spectacularly after a brilliantly worked free kick, only to have the goal ruled out for offside. It was the 20-year-old Huijsen's third game for Spain. It looks like he's set to stay. Adrien Rabiot conceded a penalty for a mistimed challenge on Yamal, who dusted himself off to make it 3-0 from the spot in the 54th. Pedri scored a minute after that, taking Williams' pass with his first touch and dinking it past the bewildered Mike Maignan with his next. Pedro Porro's foul gave Mbappé his chance from the penalty, but Yamal replied to that by prodding the ball past Maignan for 5-1.
Hamilton Spectator
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Yamal outshines Ballon d'Or contenders as Spain beats France 5-4 in Nations League semifinal
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Lamine Yamal won the battle of Ballon d'Or contenders Thursday by scoring twice as Spain eclipsed France 5-4 in their Nations League semifinal. The 17-year-old Yamal outshone French counterparts Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé as Spain initially ran riot against Didier Deschamps' tired-looking team to book its place in Sunday's final against Portugal. Portugal defeated host nation Germany 2-1 on Wednesday. Thursday's game had been billed as a contest between young stars, but it was clear that Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League win in Munich on Saturday had added more weight to French legs with PSG stars Doué and Dembélé disappointing. It was the highest scoring game in the Nations League's short history, but three of the four French goals came after Yamal had made it 5-1 and the Spanish players eased up thinking the game was won. Kylian Mbappé scored what seemed a consolation from a penalty with France 4-0 down. Substitute Rayan Cherki scored late on his France debut after Yamal scored Spain's fifth, then Spain defender Daniel Vivian conceded an own goal, and Cherki set up fellow substitute Randal Kolo Muani in stoppage time as France ultimately came close to an improbable comeback. 'It was a great game. In the end it was a little close, but we played very well and I think deserved to win,' Yamal said. Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Yamal threaded the ball through to Mikel Oyarzabal, who held off two defenders and served it on a plate for Williams to rifle to the roof of the net. Mikel Merino, the hero when Spain last played in Stuttgart , made it 2-0 three minutes later after playing a one-two with Oyarzabal. Théo Hernandez struck the crossbar and Spain needed goalkeeper Unai Simón to deny Doué, then Mbappé and Dembélé. But Spain looked capable of scoring at any time. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen thought he'd scored spectacularly after a brilliantly worked free kick, only to have the goal ruled out for offside. It was the 20-year-old Huijsen's third game for Spain. It looks like he's set to stay. Adrien Rabiot conceded a penalty for a mistimed challenge on Yamal, who dusted himself off to make it 3-0 from the spot in the 54th. Pedri scored a minute after that, taking Williams' pass with his first touch and dinking it past the bewildered Mike Maignan with his next. Pedro Porro's foul gave Mbappé his chance from the penalty, but Yamal replied to that by prodding the ball past Maignan for 5-1. ___ AP soccer:
San Francisco Chronicle
05-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Yamal outshines Ballon d'Or contenders as Spain beats France 5-4 in Nations League semifinal
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Lamine Yamal won the battle of Ballon d'Or contenders Thursday by scoring twice as Spain eclipsed France 5-4 in their Nations League semifinal. The 17-year-old Yamal outshone French counterparts Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé as Spain initially ran riot against Didier Deschamps' tired-looking team to book its place in Sunday's final against Portugal. Thursday's game had been billed as a contest between young stars, but it was clear that Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League win in Munich on Saturday had added more weight to French legs with PSG stars Doué and Dembélé disappointing. It was the highest scoring game in the Nations League's short history, but three of the four French goals came after Yamal had made it 5-1 and the Spanish players eased up thinking the game was won. Kylian Mbappé scored what seemed a consolation from a penalty with France 4-0 down. Substitute Rayan Cherki scored late on his France debut after Yamal scored Spain's fifth, then Spain defender Daniel Vivian conceded an own goal, and Cherki set up fellow substitute Randal Kolo Muani in stoppage time as France ultimately came close to an improbable comeback. 'It was a great game. In the end it was a little close, but we played very well and I think deserved to win,' Yamal said. Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after Yamal threaded the ball through to Mikel Oyarzabal, who held off two defenders and served it on a plate for Williams to rifle to the roof of the net. Mikel Merino, the hero when Spain last played in Stuttgart, made it 2-0 three minutes later after playing a one-two with Oyarzabal. Théo Hernandez struck the crossbar and Spain needed goalkeeper Unai Simón to deny Doué, then Mbappé and Dembélé. But Spain looked capable of scoring at any time. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen thought he'd scored spectacularly after a brilliantly worked free kick, only to have the goal ruled out for offside. It was the 20-year-old Huijsen's third game for Spain. It looks like he's set to stay. Adrien Rabiot conceded a penalty for a mistimed challenge on Yamal, who dusted himself off to make it 3-0 from the spot in the 54th. Pedri scored a minute after that, taking Williams' pass with his first touch and dinking it past the bewildered Mike Maignan with his next.
