Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Monday, June 23, 2025, at Lumen Field in Seattle. The win ensured PSG finished top of Group B, advancing to the knockout stages as Group winners. The Seattle Sounders, despite a valiant effort, were eliminated from the competition, concluding their first Club World Cup campaign without a win.
The match saw goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi, one in each half, securing the victory for the reigning UEFA Champions League winners. PSG's Luis Enrique's men dominated possession for a majority of the game, effectively controlling the pace and squeezing the resistance out of the home side.
The first half saw PSG break the deadlock in the 35th minute. A shot from Vitinha deflected off Kvaratskhelia and found its way past Sounders' goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Despite the Sounders' early high press that forced a mistake from PSG's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, they were unable to capitalize, with Jesús Ferreira firing wide.
In the second half, PSG continued to press, and their efforts paid off in the 66th minute. Bradley Barcola broke down the left flank and delivered a low cross to Achraf Hakimi, who calmly slotted the ball past Frei, extending PSG's lead to 2-0. Seattle's Jordan Morris, who entered as a substitute, almost created a late chance, but his effort was blocked.
Despite the loss, the Seattle Sounders can hold their heads high. They were competitive in all three of their group matches against top-tier opponents like PSG, Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo, and Atlético Madrid. While they didn't secure any points, their performance demonstrated the growing quality of MLS teams on the global stage.
Looking ahead, PSG will face the runner-up from Group A in the Round of 16 on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Their potential opponents include Palmeiras or Inter Miami. The knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will run from June 28 to July 13, 2025, with the final being held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
