PSG Outshines Inter Miami in CWC Clash
As PSG advances to the quarter-finals, they will face stiff competition from either Bayern Munich or Flamengo, while Inter Miami will look to build on their experience and competitiveness in the Major League Soccer regular season, with Messi and his team aiming to make a strong comeback after their CWC exit.
Paris Saint-Germain routed Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0 in the Club World Cup round-of-16 match, advancing to the quarter-finals with a dominant display that showcased their European champion credentials.
The match, played at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, saw PSG's coach Luis Enrique face his former protégé Lionel Messi, who he considers the best football player in history. Enrique's team lived up to their billing, with Joao Neves scoring twice and Tomas Aviles' own goal and Achraf Hakimi's strike sealing the win. Messi, who played for PSG before joining Inter Miami, had a subdued performance as his team struggled to mount a comeback.
PSG dominated the match from the start, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola creating scoring opportunities. The French side doubled their lead in the 39th minute, and PSG's third and fourth goals came before halftime. Despite the loss, Messi said his team left a "good image" in the tournament, citing the team's performance in the group stage and their competitiveness against PSG.
The experience of playing against a top-tier team like PSG is expected to be beneficial for Inter Miami's growth, according to head coach Javier Mascherano. Left-back Jordi Alba also echoed Messi's sentiments, stating that the team had been better than their group rivals. PSG will face either Bayern Munich or Flamengo in the quarter-finals, while Inter Miami will return to the Major League Soccer regular season.
The Club World Cup knockout encounter represented a significant test for both sides, with PSG seeking to add global honors to their European success and Inter Miami aiming to prove themselves against elite opposition. The 4-0 win for PSG has set the stage for a thrilling quarter-final match, as they look to continue their winning streak in the tournament.