Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha stole the spotlight as he was crowned Man of the Match in PSG’s commanding 4–0 victory over Atlético Madrid in Pasadena, kicking off their Club World Cup campaign with a statement performance .
From the first whistle, PSG controlled the match through superior possession and clinical finishing. Vitinha’s influence was clear—his goal just before halftime, a composed strike after linking play during a rapid transition, put PSG ahead 2–0 and swung momentum firmly in their favor . His control of the midfield allowed PSG to dictate tempo and stifle Atlético’s attempts to regroup.
By the final whistle, contributions from Fabian Ruiz (19′), Vitinha (45+1′), Senny Mayulu (87′), and Lee Kang-in (stoppage-time penalty) completed the rout during a sweltering afternoon for the 80,000 spectators at the Rose Bowl . Atlético was reduced to ten men after Clément Lenglet’s second yellow card in the 78th minute, but PSG’s dominance went well beyond the numerical advantage .
Vitinha’s final stat line was staggering: 112 completed passes out of 114, showcasing both his technical precision and relentless work ethic . As he said postgame: “The hardest thing is to maintain the level—that’s what I tried to do. A very good performance by the team” .
While PSG’s pace, pressing, and finishing highlighted their collective strength, the game ultimately centered on Vitinha’s midfield mastery. He not only unlocked Atlético’s defense with his goal but also anchored PSG’s structure throughout, enabling the team’s attackers to shine.
Looking ahead, PSG now turns to Botafogo in their next Group B clash, brimming with confidence after this commanding performance. Atlético faces a challenging path to redemption as they regroup for their next match.
