**Real Madrid bring home third-highest bounty from Club World Cup**

Real Madrid supporters returning home from the UAE will carry few happy memories of the latest Club World Cup. Having entered the tournament fresh off securing the treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League for the fourth consecutive time, expectations were naturally sky-high. Back-to-back Club World Cup triumphs seemed a very real possibility, a fitting finale to an extraordinary chapter in the club's recent history. Yet, just 90 minutes into their semi-final match against arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain, the dream scenario evaporated as quickly as the ball was dispatched into the net for the fourth time by Kylian Mbappé. The 4-0 defeat, compounded by an earlier first-round exit at the hands of Al-Hilal, marked a significant departure from the pre-tournament optimism and sent a powerful message about the formidable challenge awaiting Zinedine Zidane's men in Europe's most prestigious club competition come the summer.

For a team blessed with world-class talent across their entire midfield and the leadership of an experienced Carlo Ancelotti, defensive fragility against a controlled, attacking display from PSG exposed significant vulnerabilities. While Real Madrid's defense often proves stout at home, their away performance in the desert was woeful. The multiple chances conceded, particularly in the first half, suggested a lack of sharpness and perhaps an underestimation of the French side's capabilities. PSG did not shy away from the contest either, committing fully from the opening whistle. The sight of Mbappé, Théo Hernández, and Ángel Di María operating with such conviction and effectiveness is a mirror held up to Madrid's own attacking midfield talent pool and the execution required to handle such a high-stakes encounter. The final scoreline does not reflect the dominance shown by the tournament favorites played in devastating fashion, leaving questions about how Lopetegui and Laverón setup their defensive structure against fluid opposition attacks.

Rumours of Real Madrid's tail between their legs likely stem from the sheer shock value of the result. Such a one-sided defeat rarely happens to a side considered amongst the world's elite, and especially against a European powerhouse like Paris Saint-Germain, can be bruising psychologically. While escaping the tournament with any other outcome than the most agonizing of endings would have been considered a success given the slightly-less-than-expected showing earlier in the competition, falling to zero in the semi-final against this specific opponent felt like more ground was lost than the three points on the pitch alone. Defending the Club World Cup title now looks like a mountain to climb, with established powerhouses like Manchester City and Liverpool likely feeling even more confident come the qualifiers. Young talents throughout the squad showed moments of attacking promise; however, the final responsibility level required in such matches can elude even the most gifted players, especially in realistic high-pressure situations where goal-scoring margins in knockout football mean the difference between progression and elimination.

Ultimately, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez will point to winning La Decima four years ago as proof that the monumental undertaking involved in lifting the Club World Cup remains achievable. The current administration continues its massive outreach program, rewarding every minute youth victory domestically, knowing that continued success in the Primera Liga and the lucrative continental competitions are paramount for future revenues. Considering previous triumphs over other continental giants in their own El Coliseo, the motivational force of playing at Santiago Bernabéu for the denouement of the competition cannot be understated. This loss, painful as it was, should act as a necessary catalyst for reflection in the transfer and pre-season periods. What specific reinforcement, whether in defense or mentality, is required to ensure their fearsome fortress is impenetrable against any challenge next time? Failing to build upon their recent successes instead opting to rest on past laurels could be the danger here. History favors those who must answer the question posed by their own defeat.

Alvaro Clemente y Gómez Muñoz, Real Madrid. August 2023.