Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player Lee Kang-in (24) took the penalty kick because Vitinha (25, PSG) gave way.
On the 16th (Korea time), Lee Kang-in scored a crucial penalty kick during the group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Atlético Madrid held at Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles, USA, contributing to the team's 4-0 victory.
PSG, which won the UEFA Champions League (UCL) title in the 2024-2025 season, completed the treble by defeating the European powerhouse Atlético Madrid right from their first match in the Club World Cup.
Manager Luis Enrique deployed a 4-3-3 formation for the match. He set up Desiree Due, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Gonçalo Ramos in the front, while key players such as Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and João Neves were placed in the midfield. Lee started the match on the bench.
PSG announced a strong start by scoring the opening goal with a long-range shot by Ruiz in the 19th minute of the first half.
With Vitinha's individual breakthrough leading to a goal in stoppage time of the first half, PSG finished the first half with a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, PSG continued to press Atlético Madrid.
PSG gained a numerical advantage when opposing defender Clément Lenglet was sent off in the 33rd minute of the second half.
In the 42nd minute of the second half, PSG extended their lead with an additional goal from substitute Senny Mayulu.
The hero of the final goal was Lee Kang-in. He came on for Ruiz in the 27th minute of the second half and successfully converted a penalty kick in stoppage time.
Lee played for about 20 minutes. In addition to the final goal, he recorded a 92% pass success rate and 1 tackle.
After showing great performance in recent A matches, Lee returned to PSG but was utilized as a substitute on this day. He started as a regular in the early part of the 2024-2025 season, but as the season progressed, his playing time decreased. He often could not be named in the starting lineup against strong opponents. In the UCL, he has played in 11 matches, starting in only 4.
In this situation, Lee Kang-in has been caught up in transfer rumors with clubs from the English Premier League (EPL) and Serie A. His performance in the Club World Cup could increase the likelihood of a transfer.
After the match, European football statistics media Footmob rated Lee Kang-in at 7.6. WhoScored.com gave him a score of 6.89.
Vitinha, who was named the most valuable player of the match, emphasized that the team completely dominated the game despite the hot weather.
In a post-match interview with DAZN, he said, "We were all in very good condition. We tried to control the game even in the hot weather and did our best to create chances," adding, "I am satisfied with the result."
When asked about how he manages his physical condition, he explained, "I try to recover as well as possible. I sleep a lot and actively use recovery equipment or ice packs. Ultimately, my genetic traits play a big role."
Regarding the selection of the penalty kick taker, he said, "It's something I discussed in advance with the coach and teammates. Usually, I take the kick, and if Ousmane Dembélé is available, he would take it. Today it was my turn, but since I am not a striker, I don't necessarily have to score. If the score is favorable, I would give way to a striker who needs a goal," adding, "Today, that was the case for Kang-in."
[OSEN]