A blazing sun, sweltering heat, and an early afternoon kick-off might not sound like the ideal conditions for a football match—but that’s exactly what Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid faced in their opening game of the Club World Cup in California.

While PSG celebrated a commanding 4–0 win, their post-match mood was anything but cheerful.

PSG Cruise to Victory but Voice Frustration

Despite the extreme weather, the French side put on an impressive show at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.

Goals came in quick succession from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, promising youngster Senny Mayulu, and Kang-In Lee.

To make things worse for Atletico Madrid, defender Clément Lenglet was sent off, reducing them to ten men and sealing their fate.

But even with the scoreboard in their favor, PSG were left uncomfortable—not by the competition, but by the blistering midday heat.

California Heat Pushes Players to the Limit

Temperatures soared close to 40°C (that’s around 104°F), with humidity hovering at a heavy 60%.

Kick-off was scheduled for noon to suit European viewing times, but the conditions on the pitch were far from ideal for elite performance.

After the game, PSG manager Luis Enrique didn’t mince words.

“The game was definitely affected by the heat,” he explained.

“Sure, it’s a great time slot for European fans, but not for the players out there suffering under the sun.”

Vitinha Shares the Players’ Struggle

Portuguese midfielder Vitinha also gave a brutally honest take on how draining the match had been.

“Of course it’s tough—for both teams,” he said.

“Maybe even tougher for Atletico because they were chasing the ball more. For me, it’s just exhausting. It’s hot, I’m completely red from the sun, and it’s not easy to recover from that.”

He emphasized just how crucial recovery is, especially with the competitive season ramping up.

“This stage of the season is critical. Games like this can have a lasting impact,” he added.

What’s Next for PSG?

PSG may have made a bold statement on the scoreboard, but their focus now turns to managing recovery and preparing for the next round.

While the Club World Cup offers a chance for more silverware, the heat in the U.S. could be a bigger opponent than any team on the pitch.

Whether future matches will be rescheduled to avoid the worst of the sun remains to be seen—but for now, PSG are through, and cautiously optimistic about what lies ahead.