PSG Survives and Defeats Bayern in a Clash Marked by Musiala's Serious Injury

The clash between the current Champions League holders, PSG, and the Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, ended in favour of the Parisian side. Late goals from Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, the latter in added time, ensured Luis Enrique's squad's place among the top four in the Club World Cup. It was not without struggle, as the final minutes were marked by William Pacho's sending off in the action following the opening goal. Lucas Hernández also saw red in stoppage time after elbowing Joshua Kimmich. A potential extra time with two fewer players would have been a disaster for PSG, and despite the qualification, they will lose these two players for the semi-finals.

Bayern dominated the game throughout and came close to scoring twice, but Luis Enrique's offside trap caught Dayot Upamecano and Harry Kane offside. However, the worst news for the Bavarians was not the elimination but the severe injury suffered by Jamal Musiala in an unfortunate incident with Gianluigi Donnarumma. Bayern faced a cruel end in this tournament, where in the last action against PSG, the referee overturned a penalty on Thomas Müller after a VAR review.

PSG managed to withstand the German onslaught and was very effective in the few dangerous chances they created. The match remained tight until Doué's goal, and PSG achieved the feat of scoring a second goal with nine players on the field. At that moment, the entire Parisian bench erupted in euphoric celebration. This team, which never enjoyed such greatness in crucial moments, now has the ability to strike even on its worst days. Luis Enrique has already won the treble with the French team this season and could complete the feat with a historic Club World Cup that is getting closer.

The star match of the quarter-finals began with Bayern aiming to control possession and disrupt the Champions League holders' plans. Nevertheless, subduing PSG was no easy task for Vincent Kompany's side, who saw Khvicha Kvaratskhelia completely unbalance their defensive strategy on the counter-attacks. Manuel Neuer was the only one able to prevent the Georgian's assaults from resulting in goals. The Germans' dangerous actions were led by Michael Olise, in a match where both teams opted for wing play.

Goals were long-awaited, and Donnarumma began to shine to prevent them in his goal. Bayern's push resulted in an Upamecano goal that was ruled out for offside and a severe ankle injury to Jamal Musiala, who was stretchered off after being struck by the Italian goalkeeper, in an incident where the referee decided not to award a penalty.

In the second half, Bayern once again took the initiative in the game. Olise was again the player who broke through and made a difference on the pitch, but he had several opponents closing down or blocking his shots. The match intensified, and all players exerted greater effort, including Harry Kane, who was involved in purely defensive actions. Neuer made a mistake and left Dembélé with a golden opportunity for the winning goal, but the latter failed to find the net. Finally, it was Désiré Doué who, with a low shot from the edge of the box, opened the scoring for the Parisians.

In the final stretch, PSG was reduced to nine players after direct red cards for Pacho and Lucas Hernández. Despite this, Dembélé finished a counter-attack that sealed the match. The unawarded penalty in favour of Bayern in the last minute ended the Bavarians' hopes in this Club World Cup.