PSG Make Light Work of Inter Miami in Club World Cup Showdown
It’s not often you see Lionel Messi’s team swept aside, but PSG barely blinked as they powered past Inter Miami 4-0, ending the MLS club’s dream run in the Club World Cup. For Inter Miami, reaching the knockout round already rewrote some history, but up against the French giants, the gulf was laid bare from the opening whistle.
PSG wasted no time in stamping their authority. João Neves, the 19-year-old Portuguese sensation, put his team ahead in the sixth minute—rising effortlessly to head home Vitinha’s pinpoint free-kick. If Miami fans had any hope their side might weather the French storm, Neves snuffed that out well before halftime. His second came close to the break: a sharp, flowing move featuring Fabián Ruiz ended with Neves coolly burying his shot past a sprawling goalkeeper. PSG led 2-0, and Miami’s defense looked rattled every time the Parisians swept forward.
The MLS side’s troubles just kept piling up. Right before halftime, Tomás Avilés accidentally turned a deflected shot into his own goal, making it 3-0 and looking for all the world like Miami’s luck had run out. A minute later, Achraf Hakimi hammered home the fourth after a quick PSG counter, pouncing on a rebound that Inter couldn’t clear. Four goals—four ruthless reminders of the standard at Europe’s top clubs.
Inter Miami’s Club World Cup Journey Ends, PSG Eyes Bigger Prize
There were bright spots: Inter Miami didn’t get to this stage by accident. Their last-round 2-1 win over FC Porto stunned just about everybody, showing that the MLS side could, on their day, mix it with some of the best. Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba brought a flash of La Liga pedigree to the tournament, even as the team found itself outgunned against PSG.
Manager Javier Mascherano, standing in for regular boss Tata Martino, had little to criticize about his squad’s effort. "We could see the difference between the teams, but we are very proud of the guys," he told reporters, pointing out that experience like this is priceless for a young club. Every match against a Club World Cup heavyweight like PSG sharpens the learning curve for MLS sides hoping to narrow the gap to Europe’s elite.
PSG, meanwhile, looked as slick and composed as fans have come to expect under Luis Enrique. The Spanish manager called the first half "excellent," and it’s hard to disagree when a team basically puts the game to bed before halftime. With Kylian Mbappé resting and others rotated, PSG’s squad depth showed why they remain favorites whenever they step onto a pitch in these global tournaments.
The journey only gets tougher from here. Up next, PSG faces whichever giant emerges between Flamengo and Bayern Munich—two clubs with European and South American crowns in their trophy rooms. That clash, set for July 5, promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament. For now, though, PSG looks ruthlessly efficient, and Miami goes home with their heads held high after smashing the MLS knockout glass ceiling.
