Too much PSG for a poor Atlético

The question remained as to how Luis Enrique 's PSG would approach this tournament after winning every title this season. The French team quickly resolved it with an intensity similar to the Champions League final. They monopolized play and chances against a diminished Atlético Madrid. Three flashes, three goals, and enough energy to contain this summer tournament, which hasn't yet achieved the importance FIFA wants it to. [Narration and stats, 4-0]

After a lackluster opening match, we're fully immersed in this World Cup of light and shadow. A tournament in which you see Bayern Munich thrash a gang of New Zealand boys, and then two European legends play for three points in 28-degree heat and nearly 80% humidity on the bone-dry turf of the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.

Luis Enrique came on with the European champions minus the injured Dembele, who was replaced by the inconsistent Gonçalo Ramos , and Simeone surprised everyone by returning Griezmann to the starting lineup. A welcome change for the Atletico legend in a country that could be his next destination.

The game started at its own pace, slow and risk-free. Easy passing and expected roles: PSG dominated the ball, while Atlético were well-equipped at the back, with two lines of four tightly packed together, while Griezmann and Julián tried to disrupt the French's early game. However, it was two poor clearances by Lino that created the first chance—if you don't count a long-range free kick by Julián —and the first goal. Hakimi put it in the hands of Kvaratskhelia , who held his own with his back to goal until he spotted Fabián on the edge of the box, who made no mistake with a left-footed shot.

PSG's goal didn't change the script of the match, though it remains to be seen whether it was due to planning or ineptitude. Griezmann and Julián were disconnected from the game, and Lenglet and Le Normand were severely overwhelmed by the speedy French attack. And that was even after the first half hour, the Champions League MVP, Desiree Doué , hadn't appeared. In the first half, possession was 77% to 16%, with 7% contested and 12 chances to none, all in favor of the French.

And when Atlético tried to come out, and when the red-and-whites managed to steal the ball up front and take the ball into Donnarumma 's area, Griezmann timidly shot into the hands of the Italian, who launched the counterattack into Fabián 's hands. He drove it to pass to Vitinha , who ran almost 20 meters unopposed and, when he entered the area, with the red-and-white center backs 10 meters away, he only had to place the shot far from Oblak 's hands. The red-and-whites went to the locker room with scared faces, but it could have been worse.

In fact, Kvaratskhelia gave them a good one on the way out of the dressing room with his typical diagonal inward shot and curled shot into the top corner. Oblak made a strong save to deflect the ball into the crossbar, a well-balanced response, the save, to the Georgian's slalom. Atlético needed to change something, and Simeone 's response was to bring on Lino for Koke , providing more containment for a team that needed speed.

Oblak's error

Atlético could have come closer in the match if the captain hadn't fouled Doué to recover a ball that ended in Julián Álvarez 's goal. The referee checked it with VAR and communicated his decision to the fans. It seems that the red-and-whites seized on that action and Cholo's substitutions, the exits of Gallagher, Reinildo , and Correa , the Champions League hero, to take a step forward, but it was in vain.

In fact, the danger came from Oblak 's quick throw-in with Mayulu all over him. PSG won the ball back, and the Frenchman fell asleep to score the third. The red-and-whites claimed a foul on the youngster, and Lenglet overreacted and ended up being sent off. Incredibly, with 10 men in the box, Sorloth missed the clearest chance for the Atlético Madrid players. Then it was all harassment and demolition, if there was even a rojiblanco left standing, until Mayulu scored after an inadvertent pass from Griezmann , and Lee , from the penalty spot. Mind you, goals count.