Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) showcased their dominance on the pitch, thrashing Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0 in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The match, held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, saw PSG cruise into the quarterfinals, leaving Inter Miami struggling to find an answer to their opponent's superior gameplay.
From the start, PSG asserted their dominance. João Neves opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a header from a Vitinha free kick. Neves added a second goal in the 39th minute, capitalizing on an Inter Miami giveaway. An own goal by Tomás Avilés and a goal from Achraf Hakimi further widened the gap, leaving the score at 4-0 by halftime. Despite a more spirited performance from Inter Miami in the second half, PSG's defense held firm, securing their place in the quarterfinals.
Inter Miami's journey to the Round of 16 was historic, marking the first time an MLS team had reached the Club World Cup knockout stage. They had previously defeated FC Porto, becoming the first CONCACAF team to defeat a European opponent in an official competition. However, PSG proved to be a formidable opponent.
PSG's victory underscores their status as one of the favorites in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. They displayed their attacking prowess and defensive strength, leaving little room for Inter Miami to mount a comeback. The absence of Kylian Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid, didn't seem to hinder PSG's performance, as other players stepped up to fill the void.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 features a new format with 32 teams competing in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025. The teams are divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The tournament will be played across 11 cities in the US. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, acknowledged PSG's strength but emphasized his team's historic run in the competition. Despite the loss, Inter Miami's participation in the Club World Cup marks a significant milestone for the club and MLS. The team qualified for the tournament after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield, demonstrating their dominance in the league.
Looking ahead, PSG will face the winner of the match between Flamengo and Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. With their sights set on the title, PSG will aim to maintain their form and continue their quest for global club supremacy. The team has already secured the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. They also won the UEFA Champions League, completing a historic treble.
