New Jersey, United States – No be small matter o, as Real Madrid dey prepare to face off with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for FIFA Club World Cup semifinal on Wednesday, July 9, wey go happen for MetLife Stadium wey fit hold 82,500 fans. The match go kick off by 3 p.m. ET, and we sabi say temperatures fit hot pass, but rain? Zero chances.
Two giants for European football go clash as Real Madrid, dem wey don collect UEFA Champions League title five times, dey eye their sixth Club World Cup crown. Meanwhile, PSG dey try bundle this trophy join their already shining collection wey don include Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophee des Champions, and Champions League. E be like say dem wan become the first team wey go collect quintuple—five major titles in one season. Na wah!
No be only footballers we go see for pitch; the story wey dey chop this match be Kylian Mbappe, wey don change uniform from PSG to Real Madrid last year. This go be the first time wey Mbappe go dey face him old team since im switch camp. You fit imagine the vibes!
Real Madrid don dey shine for this tournament, topping Group H with two wins and one draw. Their journey don see dem draw Al Hilal 1-1 for Miami, then dem show Mexican side Pachuca pepper with 3-1 win, before dey finish group stage with 3-0 win against RB Salzburg. Talk about cruising through!
As for PSG, dem finish Group B on top too, with two wins and one small stumble (who e no go stumble sometimes?). Dem start hard with 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid, but then dem fall small as dem lose 1-0 to Botafogo. But no wahala, dem bounce back, finish Seattle 2-0, and enter knockout stage smooth like butter.
During the knockout stage, PSG show dem strength as dem whip Inter Miami 4-0. Even Bayern Munich fit no matter for them as dey handle dem 2-0 in quarterfinal. Each team dey bring serious firepower as Real don score 11 goals and PSG don carry 12 goals since the tournament start.
Ousmane Dembele don also join the party, after Mbappe don make big impact for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund last match, scoring wetin fit be best goal of the tournament—bicycle kick for last minute. You gree say that one sweet pass?
As we dey talk about injuries, both teams dey suffer from some absences. Real Madrid dey miss Dean Huijsen wey don suspended, and three other players like David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Endrick no fit join the fun.
PSG too dey deal with dem suspension drama, as two of their defenders wey don collect red cards no fit play against Real. But no shaking; coach Luis Enrique wey dey lead PSG still get strong squad as Dembele fit enter starting lineup for this one.
Xabi Alonso, wey dey manage Real Madrid, don prepare for tactical battle against Luis Enrique. This one go be test for him strategical mind. The players dey sharp, the coaches dey sharp, as na major showdown we all dey expect. Football, na so e be—full of excitement and plenty surprises.
And while dem dey gear up, you fit expect serious fireworks on that day! Which team fit come out as winner? Who go take glory of lifting the trophy? Whatever e be, fans don ready to pop popcorn and enjoy this thrilling semifinal.