FIFA Club World Cup: PSG thrash Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0, set up clash with Bayern Munich in quarters

Time of India

11 hours ago

Paris Saint-Germain's Willian Pacho, left, signals as Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, center, walks away during the Club World Cup round of 16 soccer match between PSG and Inter Miami in Atlanta, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Paris Saint-Germain dominated Inter Miami with a commanding 4-0 victory in the Club World Cup last-16 match on Sunday in Atlanta, with Joao Neves scoring twice and additional goals from Achraf Hakimi and a Tomas Aviles own goal.
Despite the presence of soccer legend
Lionel Messi
and his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, the Major League Soccer side couldn't match the European champions' superior performance.
PSG established their dominance early in the match when Neves scored the opening goal after just six minutes, heading in a free-kick from Vitinha at the back post.
The French champions maintained control throughout the first half, pressing high and limiting Messi's involvement in the game.
The floodgates opened late in the first half when PSG scored three goals in a 10-minute span. Neves netted his second after Busquets lost possession near his own box, followed by an Aviles own goal from Doue's cross.
Hakimi added the fourth goal before halftime, scoring on the rebound after his initial shot hit the crossbar.
"We had to play a serious game, the competition is really starting and I think we played well," said PSG winger
Ousmane Dembele
upon his return from injury.
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The match drew 66,000 spectators to the air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with most fans wearing Miami's pink colors or Argentina shirts in support of Messi.
Despite trailing by four goals, Messi showed determination in the second half, creating a chance for Suarez with a brilliant chip pass and testing PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a low shot.
The 38-year-old Messi displayed frustration during the match, particularly in an incident where he directed his anger at Vitinha.
"I think we were above the expectations people had for us (at the tournament), we were the best team in our group, obviously we were facing the best team in the world playing football right now, so it was difficult," said Alba.
Alba added: "Despite that in the first half we competed and above all we did in the second, we had more control of the game, more chances, and created more problems for PSG."
PSG's victory sets up a quarter-final clash against either Bayern Munich or Flamengo, scheduled for Saturday in Atlanta.
The match featured some notable moments, including Kvaratskhelia setting up Barcola early in the game, only to be denied by Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Dembele made his tournament debut as a substitute but showed signs of rust following his hamstring injury.
Messi had one final opportunity to score from a free-kick after Suarez was fouled by Lucas Beraldo, but his attempt struck the wall.
Despite the heavy defeat, Miami's second-half performance showed improvement, and the scoreline was less severe than PSG's recent 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
The European champions demonstrated their class throughout the match, with their high-pressing tactics and possession-based game proving too much for Miami to handle.
Luis Enrique's PSG side maintained their impressive form in the tournament, showcasing why they are considered among the favorites to win the Club World Cup.
Miami's journey in the tournament came to an end, but they had performed well enough to advance from their group before meeting the superior PSG team in the knockout stage.
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