PSG Advances to Club World Cup Quarterfinals

ATLANTA: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) eliminated Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami from the FIFA Club World Cup, defeating the Herons 4-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.

João Neves scored twice in the Round of 16 match, followed by an own goal from Miami, and Achraf Hakimi increased the lead to four before the halftime break.

PSG will now compete against the victor of the Bayern Munich versus Flamengo match in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, recorded six saves, while Gianluigi Donnarumma of PSG only needed to make three, as Javier Mascherano’s squad struggled to generate opportunities against the European champions for the initial 50 minutes.

The game marked Messi’s first contest against PSG since his departure and move to America two years prior.

Desire Doue successfully drew a foul just outside Miami’s penalty area early in the game, less than five minutes into the match. Vitinha delivered the ensuing free kick perfectly, allowing Neves to head it into the goal.

PSG maintained control of the match, with Neves extending their lead in the 39th minute. Fabian Ruiz dispossessed Sergio Busquets, and after a rapid sequence of passes, Neves found himself in an optimal position to score.

In the 44th minute, Tomas Aviles inadvertently deflected a PSG cross into his own net.

Shortly thereafter, PSG’s Bradley Barcola created a prime scoring opportunity, which Hakimi converted.

Following a subdued first half, Messi had an opportunity with Miami’s first shot in the 51st minute, but was unable to score.