Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) delivered a dominant performance against Inter Miami, securing a resounding 4-0 victory in the FIFA Club World Cup's round of 16. The match, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, saw the reigning European champions outclass Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, booking their place in the quarter-finals.
PSG asserted their dominance early in the match. Joao Neves opened the scoring in the 6th minute, heading home a precise free-kick from Vitinha. Neves doubled the lead in the 39th minute after a well-executed attack. Just before halftime, Inter Miami's Tomas Aviles unluckily scored an own goal, compounding the MLS side's woes. Achraf Hakimi then added a fourth goal, ensuring PSG went into the break with a commanding lead.
Inter Miami, despite boasting a squad that includes Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, struggled to contain PSG's relentless attack. The American club, making its debut in the competition, found it difficult to get Messi involved in the game, with the Parisians pressing high and maintaining possession. While Inter Miami showed some fight in the second half, they failed to score a consolation goal. Messi, despite displaying glimpses of brilliance, was largely ineffective against his former club.
PSG's victory showcased their superior quality and tactical execution. The French side's ruthless efficiency in the first half effectively sealed the match, allowing them to conserve energy in the second half. Ousmane Dembele made his return from injury, adding further strength to PSG's squad.
Inter Miami's journey to the round of 16 was a historic achievement for the club. They went undefeated in Group A, securing a win against Porto and draws against Al Ahly and Palmeiras. Their victory over Porto marked the first time a CONCACAF team had defeated a European opponent in an official competition. However, the match against PSG highlighted the gap in quality between the two teams.
Looking ahead, PSG will face either Bayern Munich or Flamengo in the quarter-finals. Inter Miami, meanwhile, will return to their MLS campaign, aiming to defend their Supporters' Shield title, regain the Leagues Cup crown, and compete for their first-ever MLS Cup. Despite the heavy defeat, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano expressed pride in his team's performance at the Club World Cup.
