PSG Crushes Messi’s Inter Miami 4-0 at Club World Cup \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Paris Saint-Germain dismantled Inter Miami 4-0 in the Club World Cup round of 16, led by two goals from João Neves. Lionel Messi, facing his former club, struggled as PSG dominated possession and pace throughout. The win sends PSG to the quarterfinals in Atlanta to face either Flamengo or Bayern Munich.
Quick Looks
- Final score: PSG 4, Inter Miami 0
- Neves double: João Neves scores twice in commanding first-half
- Messi shut down: No impact vs former club, limited to two weak chances
- First-half collapse: Own-goal, Hakimi strike buried Inter before halftime
- Stat domination: PSG held 73% possession, outshot Miami 10-0 first half
- Miami’s struggle: Couldn’t exit own half, lacked defensive response
- Donnarumma clean sheet: Third shutout of the tournament
- Next match: PSG faces Flamengo or Bayern in quarterfinals
Deep Look
In a display of sheer dominance and tactical precision, Paris Saint-Germain made an emphatic statement in the round of 16 at the Club World Cup on Sunday by dismantling Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 4-0 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The European champions showed why they’re the current standard-bearers in world football, handing a humbling defeat to one of the game’s greatest icons in a performance that left no doubt about their ambition to win the tournament.
João Neves was the undisputed star of the night, scoring twice in the first half to establish PSG’s control early. His opening goal came just six minutes into the match when he rose unmarked at the back post to head home a curling free kick. The precision of the delivery and Neves’ awareness exposed a lack of preparation and cohesion in Miami’s defensive setup.
Neves struck again in the 39th minute, finishing a well-constructed move with a composed shot past the helpless Inter Miami goalkeeper. By then, the Herons were reeling under relentless pressure, unable to match PSG’s pace, fluidity, or physicality. Any hope Inter Miami had of staging an underdog upset was dashed before halftime, as the European powerhouse tacked on two more goals. First came an own goal off a deflected clearance under pressure, and then, in stoppage time, Achraf Hakimi cut inside the box and finished clinically to give PSG a four-goal advantage.
The blowout brought back memories of PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final just a month prior. That historic win not only secured the club’s first European title but also positioned them as favorites heading into the expanded Club World Cup. Sunday’s match only strengthened their claim.
Meanwhile, for Lionel Messi, it was a frustrating and largely forgettable return to face his former team. The Argentine superstar, who spent two seasons in Paris before his move to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, was greeted by a crowd of 65,574 that included thousands of fans in pink hoping for a vintage performance. However, chants of “Messi! Messi! Messi!” faded as the reality of PSG’s control set in. For most of the match, Messi was isolated, often seen drifting in the midfield, unable to break through the organized PSG midfield or defense.
Inter Miami’s offensive struggles mirrored their defensive collapse. Their best opportunity came early in the second half when veteran striker Luis Suárez was played in behind PSG’s back line. But the 38-year-old failed to control the ball cleanly and watched it slide out of play, visibly frustrated. His outburst—kicking a water bottle over the advertising boards—symbolized the entire day for the Herons: high expectations dashed by an elite opponent playing at a different level.
Messi did manage two shots in the second half. His first, a low strike in the 63rd minute, was easily handled by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. A later header forced Donnarumma into a diving save, but those were rare flashes in an otherwise dominant defensive display by PSG, who registered their third consecutive shutout of the tournament.
From kickoff, PSG imposed their will. They dominated possession—holding 73% of the ball in the first half—and outshot Inter Miami 10-0 before halftime. Their pressing forced constant turnovers, and their ball movement left Miami’s midfield and back line scrambling. It wasn’t just about talent; it was about intensity, precision, and intent.
After the match, Neves praised his teammates’ relentless energy. “We had a very good game. We didn’t stop. We kept playing our game. It was a positive day for us,” he said, summarizing PSG’s laser-focused performance.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, speaking through an interpreter, tried to find positives despite the drubbing. “The first half was kind of like a bloodbath,” he admitted. “But I am very proud of my team and what we have accomplished.” Mascherano, himself a former PSG and Barcelona player, now faces the challenge of elevating his MLS squad to compete more consistently at the international level.
Sunday’s result was also a sobering reminder of the current gap between Major League Soccer teams and Europe’s elite clubs. Despite Inter Miami featuring global names like Messi and Suárez, the team was comprehensively outclassed by PSG’s depth, cohesion, and tactical execution. The loss emphasized how far MLS sides still have to go before competing at the highest levels, especially when their marquee players are nearing retirement and unable to carry the burden alone.
For PSG, the victory was another step toward adding the Club World Cup to their growing list of accolades. With a quarterfinal clash on the horizon against either Flamengo or Bayern Munich—both formidable opponents—the Parisians look poised and prepared to extend their dominance.
This match served as more than just a footballing contest—it was a measuring stick for where global club soccer stands. On one side was the polished, reigning champion of Europe, still climbing its peak. On the other, a team symbolizing MLS’s ambitious growth but also its limitations when facing world-class opposition.
PSG’s relentless, professional dismantling of Inter Miami was not just a win—it was a message.
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