PSG defeat Inter Miami 4-0 to seal quarterfinal spot at Club World Cup 2025
Paris Saint-Germain delivered a masterclass in dominance as they breezed past Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami with a 4-0 thrashing in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, asserting their claim as one of the top contenders for the title.
The match, played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, attracted over 66,000 fans, most in Miami pink or Argentina jerseys, all hoping for one last piece of Messi magic. But against a clinical PSG side led by Luis Enrique, it was one-way traffic from start to finish.
Joao Neves brace leads ruthless first-half blitz
Joao Neves was the unlikely hero for PSG, bagging two first-half goals. His opener came just six minutes in after Vitinhawhipped in a dangerous free-kick and the Portuguese midfielder ghosted in unmarked to head past Inter Miami’s goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Neves doubled PSG’s lead in the 39th minute after Sergio Busquets miscontrolled a ball in front of his own box, allowing Fabian Ruiz to pounce and set up the 19-year-old for a simple tap-in.
Tomas Aviles then compounded Miami’s misery, scoring an own goal just minutes later, and Achraf Hakimi made it 4-0 before halftime, smashing home a rebound after his initial effort had hit the crossbar.
Messi frustrated as Miami fall short against former club
Despite fielding a star-studded veteran lineup of Messi, Luis Suarez, Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Inter Miami were simply no match for PSG’s high-pressing intensity and technical fluidity.
Messi, who was heavily marked and largely isolated, struggled to influence the game. He showed flashes of brilliance, including a delightful chip to set up Suarez early in the second half, but the Uruguayan couldn’t convert.
The Argentine icon showed visible frustration throughout the night, even appearing to lash out at Vitinha in a rare moment of anger. His free-kick attempt late in the game, reminiscent of his Porto winner in the group stage, hit the wall—capping a disappointing night against his former club.
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Post-Match Reactions: Respect for Miami’s Effort
Though outclassed in the first half, Inter Miami showed resilience in the second 45 minutes, with Messi, Alba, and Busquets driving the team forward in search of a consolation goal.
"We were facing probably the best team in world football right now," said Jordi Alba post-match.
"But I think we went above expectations. We topped our group and we gave PSG problems in the second half."
PSG winger Ousmane Dembele, who made his return from injury as a second-half substitute, also praised his team’s professionalism:
“We had to play a serious game — the competition starts for real now — and I think we did well.”
Match Summary: PSG vs Inter Miami
Team Goals -
PSG - Neves (6’, 39’), Aviles (OG 43’), Hakimi (45’)
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Attendance: 66,000+
Next Match: PSG vs Bayern Munich/Flamengo – Quarter-Final
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What Next for PSG and Inter Miami?
Paris Saint-Germain now march into the quarter-finals where they’ll face the winner of the tie between Bayern Munich and Flamengo, a high-stakes clash that could define their path to the final.
As for Inter Miami, their Club World Cup journey ends, but they exit with heads held high. From topping their group to challenging PSG in patches, they’ve proven that MLS sides can compete on the global stage, even if not yet at the level of European elite.
Messi’s tournament may have ended earlier than hoped, but his presence gave the tournament and his team, a major boost in global attention and fan engagement.
SportsLigue