Real Madrid Fail to Follow Xabi Alonso’s Instructions, Thrashed by PSG

Thibaut Courtois revealed the reason behind Real Madrid’s crushing 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semifinal, held at MetLife Stadium.

The match, played in the early hours local time, ended in a lopsided scoreline, with PSG dominating from kickoff to the final whistle.

Luis Enrique’s squad scored four goals through:

• Fabián Ruiz (6th and 24th minutes)

• Ousmane Dembélé (9th minute)

• Gonçalo Ramos (87th minute)

“We failed to follow Xabi Alonso’s game plan. We were always late to react,” Courtois told DAZN after the match.

The Belgian goalkeeper also criticized the team’s lack of coordinated pressing, which he said allowed PSG’s quick attacks to easily break through Madrid’s defense.

This defeat marks the end of Real Madrid’s campaign in the 2025 Club World Cup and serves as a critical point of evaluation for head coach Xabi Alonso as he continues to shape the team for upcoming European and domestic competitions.