Atlanta’s hosting duties for the FIFA Club World Cup came to an end today as the quarterfinal match between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain ended with PSG advancing to the semi-finals. It’s been a brilliant display of the beautiful game through the various matches here in Atlanta, and a really wonderful opportunity to show off the city to fans ahead of the World Cup in 2026. This match in particular did not disappoint, as two behemoths went head to head in what could easily be a UEFA Champion’s League final in another timeline. Here are some final whistle thoughts live from Mercedes-Benz Stadium!
The finest of margins
These were two teams that play the beautiful game beautifully, with Munich being a much more controlling team and PSG thriving on transition moments. It’d ultimately take until the 78th minute to break the deadlock, with Munich being too nonchalant around the box which allowed PSG one of their best looks of the match – which they of course capitalized on. Regardless, this match was on a knife edge as each squad made the most minute adjustments to pull an edge over the other.
Honestly, it was incredibly enjoyable football to be such a low scoring match, as each side had tons of opportunities. The red card to PSG in the 83rd minute only served to make the final minutes even more tense, as Munich pressed hard for their equalizer to stay in the tournament. Couple that with two Munich goals called back for offside, an overturned penalty, a second red, and it made for an entertaining match.
Musiala
Jamal Musiala’s injury is a dark cloud over this entire match, but I have to start by saying it was simply a freak accident. Donnarumma came in to win the ball – fairly – and Musiala ended up on the bad end of it. All we can say is “it happens,” and pray Jamal’s recovery is super quick. However, it looks rough, and conventional wisdom and some basic eyesight would tell you he’s in a for a long road. No injury is palatable, but these really bad ones that are just pure accidents are so tough to see.
Red cards
You get a red card, you get a red card, and you get a red card. Two reds to PSG in the final few minutes of the match made things incredibly interesting as they led 1-0 and Munich was pushing hard for the equalizer.
And then PSG still found a way to score off – you guessed it – a transition moment. To add more drama, though, Munich was awarded a penalty well into stoppage time, but it was subsequently taken away by a VAR check. All things considered, this was another amazing one for a neutral to enjoy, and maybe blood-pressure inducing for fans of either team. A fitting end to Atlanta’s Club World Cup hosting duties.
Let us know down below what you thought of the match, and hang out with us today for Atlanta United vs DC United later this evening!
Atlanta can be proud of how we hosted the Club World Cup. Except for the Mon 3p game between Chelsea and LAFC (after a last minute switch from Club Leon), the matches were well attended and the buzz and excitement was all around. And MB has become well known internationally for being a world class facility. If this is a warmup for the World Cup next year, hold onto your britches, we’re in for a helluva ride.
Envy, the green-ayed monster. I envy you Atlantistas, I mean, to be able to attend a match like this one???
What we have playing in the Benz for all other soccer matches balances that out.
What a high-skill match. Probably the highest level match in MBS history. A fitting way to send the CWC on its way. Bring on the WC.
Hearing people say it was the best match of the Club World Cup. Unfortunately, I could only catch the last few minutes which looked very busy. Also the stadium looked full! I’m starting to see more and more that we will be a great host city for the World Cup. 🙂
Yeah! About 66.5k in attendance and a heck of a soccer match overall, tons of fun