PSG vs Real Madrid: Three unforgettable clashes between Parisians and Madrilenians | OneFootball

PSG vs Real Madrid

This Wednesday, July 9, 2025, PSG will attempt to eliminate Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semi-final to book their spot in the final. Historically, the two teams have never faced each other at such an advanced stage of an official competition.

In their 12 official encounters to date, the Spanish capital’s players have the upper hand over their French counterparts, with five wins to PSG’s four, along with three draws. As we await the outcome of their 13th clash at the MetLife Stadium, let’s relive three unforgettable meetings between these European giants.

Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 Real Madrid (5-4 on aggregate); UEFA Cup; Quarter-final second leg; March 18, 1993

In this edition of the UEFA Cup, Madrid gained the advantage in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Emilio Butragueño, Iván Zamorano, and Míchel. Luis Enrique, among the Madrid ranks, remained silent on the scoresheet.

Back at Parc des Princes, George Weah threw PSG a lifeline by opening the scoring just after the half-hour mark, but the Parisian attack struggled to break through Madrid’s defensive wall until the final ten minutes of pure madness.

David Ginola, already on the scoresheet in the first leg, bagged a second for Paris with a crisp strike, then Valdo delivered a third just a minute before the end. At 3-0, Artur Jorge’s PSG were virtually through, but Zamorano drew Madrid level on aggregate in the 90th minute, sending Real through on away goals.

But the Parisians weren’t done yet, and one man would write his legend: Antoine Kombouaré. From a free kick, he rose highest to head home past Paco Buyo. "Golden Helmet" thus handed qualification to PSG.

Real Madrid 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain (5-2 on aggregate); UEFA Champions League; Round of 16 first leg; March 6, 2018

Madrid were caught off guard by the Parisians when Adrien Rabiot opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been denied by Alphonse Areola minutes earlier, brought Real level from the penalty spot just before halftime, his 100th goal for Madrid in the Champions League. Yet, in a match where Paris played without fear, the final three minutes of the second half proved fatal. Cristiano scored with his thigh in the 83rd, and Marcelo—brilliant all game—sealed it with a deflected shot. Madrid took a commanding lead for the quarter-final berth.

In the return leg, PSG were without Neymar, sidelined with an ankle injury. They conceded again to Cristiano, then to Casemiro, and despite a goal from Edinson Cavani, their European journey ended once more in the Round of 16. Real would go on to lift the big-eared trophy for the third consecutive year.

Real Madrid 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain (3-2 on aggregate); UEFA Champions League; Round of 16 second leg; March 9, 2022

Everything was going perfectly for PSG in this second leg as Mbappé beat Thibaut Courtois just before halftime, showing his trademark speed down the left. But Carlo Ancelotti’s men—and especially Karim Benzema—shifted into top gear in the second half. The former Lyon striker netted an incredible hat-trick, his third in the Champions League: one after a scramble and a cutback from Vini Jr. following a Donnarumma error, a second via a deflection from Marquinhos after a delicious Modrić assist, and a third with an outside-of-the-foot finish after Vini Jr. raced past the Parisian defense.

Real Madrid clinched their first Champions League title since 2018 and were crowned champions of Spain. PSG also took the Ligue 1 crown, but European glory remained elusive.