Two European juggernauts clash in the quarterfinal stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as UEFA Champions League holders PSG face Bundesliga dominators Bayern Munich at the Lincoln Financial Field stadium in Philadelphia. The winners will face another tough challenge in the semifinals against either Borussia Dortmund or Real Madrid.
PSG vs BAY Match Details
Date: Saturday, 5 July 2025
Time: 12:00 (EDT) / 21:30 (IST)
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
PSG vs BAY Match Preview
Lionel Messi’s reaction after Inter Miami threw away a two-goal lead to draw against Palmeiras was palpable as his unwanted reunion with Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16 stage was bound to be disastrous and it was. After a shock loss to Botafogo and an unconvincing win over Seattle Sounders, the Argentinian’s ex-employee got their groove back at the right time to dismantle the MLS outfit 4-0 to progress to the quarterfinals. All goals came in the first half itself as midfield star Joao Neves scored twice, with Achraf Hakimi rounding off the scoring after Desire Doue’s teasing cross was turned in inadvertently by Miami defender Tomas Aviles. Luis Enrique’s side showed just what made them so fearful in their historic treble-winning season and they want to maintain the standard now to clinch another silverware, tagging them as world champions. However, the path is much more severe for the club from the French capital as they need to silence two fellow UEFA sides to progress to the Club World Cup final, starting against German giants Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. PSG have lost four successive games against the Bavarians, winning once in the last five and suffered a heartbreaking defeat in their first Champions League final against the same opposition, which they have since replaced with their maiden European success last May. Although their record in this fixture is not welcoming, the Ligue 1 giants are in their best period ever and it will be another big surprise if another competition favourite, like Manchester City, bow out in circumstances when they have the upper hand. They were able to recall Ousmane Dembele from a hamstring injury as a second-half substitute in the last game, giving Luis Enrique’s side a great boost and a chance to rekindle their absolute brilliance with their Ballon d’Or now in contention to start here.
Bayern Munich bounced back from their shock loss to Benfica, which cost them the top place in their group, with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Brazilian high-flyers Flamengo in the last-16 stage. Despite Filipe Luis’s side reducing the deficit twice, Vincent Kompany's men stayed firm with a Harry Kane double and a Leon Goretzka screamer after an Eric Pulgar own goal started it all. The two-time Club World Cup winners, with the last one coming in 2020, are pursuing a third honour to their name by reaching the quarterfinals, but could not have asked for a difficult pathway to the final. The Bundesliga holders will face PSG in this round and should they eliminate the current best team in Europe, record winners Real Madrid or local rivals Dortmund will cross their path in the next round. It is a challenging venture for the side that has been struggling with consistency and is about to face an outfit that has conceded just once throughout the tournament. The Parisians have also scored nine goals and are threatening the defence that has leaked four goals, even though they have drawn blank in each of their last encounters in this fixture. Meanwhile, Bayern’s attack is the best in the tournament. They have scored a staggering 16 goals from four games, with the major chunk of the tally coming in the 10-goal record victory against semi-pro side Auckland City in their opener. Having exited from the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League, Kompany won’t be pleased to exit the Club World Cup at the same stage with a win in their biggest test against an in-form team, which will provide much-needed inspiration for the prize and the season ahead. Bayern have also won seven of the 10 meetings played this century, having defeated the eventual winners of the Champions League in the League Phase last year, who have bounced back since to be the side today.
PSG vs BAY Recent Form (all competitions)
PSG: WWLWW
BAY: WWWLW
PSG vs BAY Recent Form (CWC 2025)
PSG: WLWW
BAY: WWLW
PSG vs BAY Predicted Lineup
PSG
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Barcola, Doue, Kvaratskhelia
Bayern Munich
Neuer; Laimer, Tah, Upamecano, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Olise, Coman; Kane
PSG vs BAY Dream11 Match Prediction
Even though Bayern Munich had the last laugh in recent meetings, this PSG side is nothing like before, with the treble-winners finding everything easy to pass through. That is not expected to change here as Luis Enrique’s side moves into the semifinals. We predict a 2-0 win for them.
PSG vs BAY Dream11 Team Top picks
Captain Picks: Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
Vice-captain Picks: Vitinha, Harry Kane, Michael Olise
Others: Achraf Hakimi, Joshua Kimmich, Fabian Ruiz
PSG vs BAY Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Donnarumma (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 131)
DEF: Hakimi (Cr - 9, Pts - 332), Tah (Cr - 8, Pts - 123), Mendes (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 153)
MID: Coman (Cr - 8, Pts - 119), Vitinha (Cr - 9, Pts - 254), Kimmich (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 146), Kvaratskhelia (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 146)
FW: Doue (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 154), Kane (Cr - 9, Pts -197), Olise (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 256)
Vice-captain: Vitinha
Captain: Kvicha Kvaratskhelia
