PSG Dominate Messi’s Inter Miami 4-0 to Advance in Club World Cup
ATLANTA – Paris Saint-Germain delivered a punishing 4-0 defeat to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, setting up a quarterfinal clash with either Bayern Munich or Flamengo.
Joao Neves stole the spotlight with a brace, while an own goal by Tomas Aviles and a strike by Achraf Hakimi wrapped up the match by halftime, rendering Messi’s return against his former club largely ineffective.
Neves Strikes Twice as PSG Seize Early Control
PSG wasted no time, taking control within the opening five minutes. A Vitinha free-kick found Joao Neves, who scored with a precise header past Oscar Ustari.
The second came in the 39th minute, after Fabian Ruiz dispossessed Sergio Busquets, enabling Neves to fire home from the center of the box.
Before halftime, PSG added two more. Tomas Aviles, who had just subbed in for an injured Noah Allen, inadvertently chested the ball into his own net. A minute later, Hakimi netted the fourth, scoring off his rebound after Ustari deflected his initial shot.
Messi’s Quiet Return and Miami’s Struggles
Facing his former club for the first time since joining MLS, Messi had a forgettable night. Miami failed to attempt a single shot in the first 50 minutes.
Messi’s first effort came in the 51st minute, and his only real threat was a header in the 80th minute, brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who earned his third clean sheet of the tournament.
Luis Suarez squandered Miami’s best chance after a Messi pass, failing to convert with the net in sight — a moment that summed up Inter Miami’s frustrating performance.
PSG Set Sights on Quarterfinals
PSG now prepare to face the winner between Bayern Munich and Flamengo on Saturday.
“It’s the first time I’ve scored two goals in a match,” Neves told DAZN. “But I’m happier for the win.”
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the gulf in class.
“We knew it would be difficult. PSG might be the best team in the world,” he said. “It was a lesson for us.”
