Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Inter Miami in Atlanta on Sunday, June 29, 2025, securing their place in the Club World Cup quarter-finals.
Despite hopes that Lionel Messi’s brilliance could spark an upset against his former club, the Major League Soccer side was outclassed by Luis Enrique’s European champions.
The match, played before a 66,000-strong crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, highlighted the significant quality gap between the teams, with Messi, alongside ex-Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, unable to counter PSG’s dominance.
Joao Neves scored twice for PSG, while an own goal by Inter Miami’s Tomas Aviles and a strike from Achraf Hakimi sealed the rout. PSG surged ahead early, with Neves heading in a Vitinha free-kick in the sixth minute after a foul on Desire Doue.
Miami struggled to involve Messi, and their defense crumbled late in the first half, conceding three goals in 10 minutes. Neves tapped in his second after Busquets’ error, Aviles deflected a Doue cross into his own net, and Hakimi fired home a rebound after hitting the crossbar.
Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, showed flashes of brilliance, including a precise pass to Suarez, but PSG’s high press and possession dominance stifled Miami’s efforts. Frustrated, Messi clashed with Vitinha, reflecting Miami’s struggles.
In the second half, Messi forced a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma and took a free-kick that hit the wall, but a comeback—reminiscent of Barcelona’s 2017 6-1 Champions League rally against PSG—was unattainable.
PSG introduced Ousmane Dembele, who was rusty post-injury, but their lead was never threatened. The defeat was less severe than PSG’s 5-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan, with Miami showing second-half resilience.
The crowd, adorned in Inter Miami’s pink and Argentina jerseys, chanted Messi’s name, but PSG’s clinical performance prevailed. PSG now advances to face either Bayern Munich or Flamengo in the quarter-finals on July 5, 2025, in Atlanta.
What You Should Know
- PSG defeated Inter Miami 4-0 in the Club World Cup round of 16 on June 29, 2025, in Atlanta, advancing to the quarter-finals.
- Joao Neves scored twice, with an own goal by Tomas Aviles and a strike by Achraf Hakimi completing PSG’s first-half dominance.
- Lionel Messi, supported by Suarez, Busquets, and Alba, couldn’t bridge the quality gap, with Miami’s defense overwhelmed by PSG’s high press.
- Despite a second-half effort, including a Messi free-kick, Inter Miami couldn’t replicate past comebacks, exiting the tournament.
- PSG will face Bayern Munich or Flamengo next, while Miami’s run, bolstered by Messi’s global draw, ends in the last 16.
