17/06/2025

Read

iPaper at Malaysian Paper

www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download

app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Malaysian Paper or download

SCAN ME

SCAN ME

TUESDAY | JUNE 17, 2025

Malaysian Paper

PSG rout Atletico Ligue 1 winners sizzle in California sun, send message with dominant win P ARIS SAINT-GERMAIN laid down an ominous marker on their march towards global domination at the Fifa Club balanced attack and saw goals from four different players. “Every single player has been developing and showing to the team their best quality,” Enrique said. “As a coach I’m very happy.”

Russell wins in Canada

Story on page 28

World Cup yesterday. The first full day of action at the inaugural edition of the 32-team club tournament saw newly crowned European champions PSG produce a scintillating 4-0 rout of Atletico Madrid. PSG delivered a statement win over Atleti in front of an 80,619 crowd at a sun baked Pasadena The French champions shrugged off searing heat – temperatures reached 31°C shortly after the midday kickoff – to produce the kind of adventurous, attacking display which became their calling card en route to their dazzling Champions League triumph earlier this month. “It’s the best scheduled time for the European countries, but it’s difficult to play in these conditions,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said after the Group B clash. Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha gave PSG a 2 0 lead by halftime before Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in sealed an impressive Group B win with late goals against an Atleti team who struggled to cope with the French side’s multi-faceted attacking play. PSG are bidding to crown a superb season which saw them win four trophies at home and in Europe. Yesterday’s evidence, few would bet against Luis Enrique’s side from being crowned world champions. Enrique was encouraged to see the massive turnout, which set an attendance record for PSG and Atletico Madrid this season, according to Fifa. “It’s really great to feel that love in another part of the world,” Enrique said. “We are happy and we want to continue in that way.” No team has been able to push PSG off course lately. They have outscored their opponents 12-0 over their past three matches including their 5-0 romp over Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Beating fellow European powerhouse Atletico in such convincing fashion yesterday solidifies PSG’s status as one of the favourites to triumph in the 32-team Club World Cup. Despite being without injured Ballon d’Or favourite Ousmane Dembele, the young team earned the win behind a

Vitinha, who took Man of the Match honours, said it is always a group effort. “As always I am going to talk about the team,” he said. “It was a very good game and it’s difficult with this temperature, but we did well against a very good team. Everybody knows Atletico is a tough team, an aggressive team, but we did very well. We managed to control all of the game. We could have scored more, but we are happy with the result.” PSG will be back at the Rose Bowl on Friday (9am Malaysian time) to face Brazilian champions Botafogo. The Copa Libertadores holders hung on for a 2-1 win at a determined Seattle Sounders. First half headers from Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus gave the visitors a deserved lead but a second-half deflected effort from Cristian Roldan handed the hosts a lifeline. Despite coming under late pressure, Botafogo held firm to secure the three points, with

Merciless Bavarians

Story on page 30

goalkeeper John making a brilliant save deep in added time to deny Seattle an equaliser. Botafogo captain Marlon Freitas said it was not his side’s best performance. “The important thing

here was the result, the effort, but we know we didn’t play well,” he told TV Globo. “We have to learn lessons, both individually and collectively. This win helps ease some of the anxiety, but we must improve against our next opponents because playing like this, the result might not be the same.” Palmeiras drew 0-0 with Portuguese giants Porto in Group A at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. – AFP/Reuters

Atletico Madrid’s Samuel Lino

(left) battles for possession with PSG’s Achraf Hakimi during the Fifa Club World Cup group B match. – AFPPIC

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com