Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have been dealt a significant setback ahead of Sunday’s Club World Cup final against Chelsea, with key defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez both suspended for the highly anticipated showdown.
The French champions earned their place in the final with an emphatic 4-0 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday night, but the celebrations were tempered by the confirmation that Pacho and Hernandez will miss the final due to disciplinary action.
Both players were shown straight red cards during PSG’s dramatic quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich. Colombian international Pacho was dismissed for a studs-up lunge on Leon Goretzka, while Hernandez was sent off for elbowing Raphael Guerreiro.
FIFA classified both incidents as “rough and serious” play under its Disciplinary Code, resulting in two-match bans instead of the standard one.
As a result, after sitting out the semi-final against Real Madrid, both defenders will also miss the final against Chelsea at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
READ ALSO: Ex-Real Madrid coach Ancelotti sentenced to one-year jail term in Spain over tax fraud
While Chelsea were also without key players in the semi-finals — including Liam Delap and Levi Colwill, who were serving suspensions — both are now eligible to return for the final. The return of the Chelsea pair comes as a timely boost for manager Mauricio Pochettino as he prepares his side for a clash with his former club.
The absence of Pacho, in particular, could be crucial. The centre-back had formed a formidable partnership with Marquinhos at the heart of PSG’s defense — a duo widely credited for their Champions League triumph in May. In his place, Lucas Beraldo is expected to start. Notably, the only goal PSG have conceded in this tournament came in the match Beraldo started against Botafogo.
Despite the suspensions, PSG remain formidable. Their demolition of Real Madri, with goals from Fabian Ruiz, Ousmane Dembélé, another from Ruiz, and a late finish by Gonçalo Ramos, was a clear statement of intent.
The Ligue 1 giants are aiming to cap off a trophy-laden season, having already won four titles in the 2024/25 campaign, including the Champions League.
Manager Luis Enrique will at least be able to call on midfielder João Neves, who, despite picking up a second yellow card in the tournament, will not face a ban.
The final between Chelsea and PSG promises to be a clash of heavyweights, but with two key PSG defenders out and Chelsea bolstered by returning talent, the Blues may have just edged closer to lifting the Club World Cup.
Kick-off is set for Sunday night at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.