Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) delivered a resounding defeat to Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup, securing a 4-0 victory in their round of 16 match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The match marked a poignant moment as Lionel Messi faced his former club. Despite Inter Miami's aspirations, PSG's dominance was evident from the outset, as they outplayed Messi and his teammates.
Joao Neves emerged as a key player for PSG, scoring twice and solidifying his team's lead. His first goal came early in the match, just six minutes in, with a header from a free kick. Neves doubled the score in the 39th minute, capitalizing on an attack involving Bradley Barcola and Fabian Ruiz. Achraf Hakimi further compounded Inter Miami's woes with a fourth goal before halftime.
Inter Miami, coached by Javier Mascherano, faced an uphill battle against the reigning European champions. Mascherano acknowledged the significant gap between the two teams but expressed hope for an upset. Despite the presence of former Barcelona stars like Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets alongside Messi, Inter Miami struggled to find their footing against PSG's relentless attacks.
Lionel Messi, who spent two seasons with PSG, experienced a mixed reception from fans, some of whom turned against him after Argentina's World Cup win. Although Messi showcased moments of brilliance, he was largely overwhelmed by PSG's defense. In the latter stages of the match, Messi had an opportunity to score from a free kick, but his attempt was blocked by the wall. Despite the loss, fans acknowledged Messi's individual efforts, with some suggesting that Inter Miami's struggles stemmed from a lack of support for the Argentinian star.
PSG's victory propels them into the Club World Cup quarterfinals, where they are set to face either Bayern Munich or Flamengo. The win also signifies PSG's ambition to add another trophy to their collection after their recent Champions League triumph. For Inter Miami, their journey in the Club World Cup ends with a harsh reality check against a formidable opponent. While they had a surprising win against Porto and draws against Palmeiras and Al Ahly in the group stage, they were ultimately outmatched by the European giants.
