ANTONIO RUDIGER blew the chance of a Chelsea reunion as Real Madrid were steamrollered out of the Club World Cup.
The former Blues defender’s embarrassing howler let in PSG hitman Ousmane Dembele to rifle home a goal after nine minutes.
And it was already one nil as the Spanish giants were torn to shreds in a first half blitz.
Fabian Ruiz had scored three minutes earlier from another cock up at the back as the reigning European champions went for the jugular with an early onslaught that paid off.
The Spanish midfielder made it 3-0 by half time with another clinical finish to fire PSG into Sunday’s final against Chelsea.
Rudiger, 32, was at Chelsea for five years and was part of their triumphant 2021 Champions League squad.
But the German centre half and his fellow defenders were humiliated in the first 45 minutes with a series of mistakes that cost them dearly.
Defeat means Madrid end the season without a trophy of any kind. They were also humbled 3-0 by Arsenal in the Champions League last season.
New boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has much rebuilding work to do even though he has just signed full back Trent Alexander-Arnold to strengthen his squad.
Former Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold was ruled out of this game with injury.
Victory is the 48th for runaway European kings PSG which is a record for them in one single season.
And they could not have wished for a better start against their illustrious Spanish opposition when the first of several blunders gave them the early lead.
A mistake by Raul Ascencio trying to tackle Dembele allowed Fabian to bury a shot from less than ten yards out.
Rudiger then let the ball slip under his foot shortly after and Dembele raced clear to blast home number two past ex-Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois.
And Fabian made sure there was no way back for 15-times European champions Madrid when he ruthlessly finished off a square ball from ex-Galactico Hakimi.
Desire Doue actually made it 4-0 early in the second half but the goal was ruled out with Dembele offside.
Chelsea face their toughest task yet taking on PSG in Sunday’s all-European final.
After losing their first game at the Club World Cup, Luis Enrique’s side have won every match and prior to kick off against Madrid had not conceded a goal.
Madrid brought on veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, 39, for his farewell game before moving to AC Milan after 13 years in the Spanish capital.
But things only got worse for Modric & Co Goncalo Ramos came off the bench to make it 4-0.
Portuguese international Ramos paid tribute to Diogo Jota – copying his international team-mate’s celebration – who tragically died aged 28 in a car crash this month.
Read the full article here
