Paris Saint-Germain became the third team to reach the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup with a commanding 4–0 victory over Inter Miami in Atlanta. The reigning European champions effectively settled the match in the first half, thanks to a brace from Joao Neves (6’, 39’), an own goal by Avilés (44’) following a cross from Doué, and a stoppage-time strike from Achraf Hakimi.
PSG will now face either Flamengo or Bayern Munich in the next round.
The emphatic result against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami served as a clear statement from PSG, reinforcing that their earlier 1–0 loss to Botafogo was likely a rare slip rather than a sign of vulnerability. Under Luis Enrique, PSG continue to demonstrate why they are considered among the top contenders for the title.
The match started at a high tempo, with PSG taking the lead just six minutes in. A header from Joao Neves, assisted by Vitinha, opened the scoring after PSG had immediately applied pressure by launching the kickoff out for a throw-in, a tactic they’ve used in recent matches.
In the 24th minute, Kvaratskhelia came close to doubling the lead with a shot that grazed the post. The Georgian international threatened again near the half-hour mark, but Inter Miami goalkeeper Óscar Ustari was equal to the task.
Inter Miami, who also lost Noah Allen to injury in the first half, collapsed in the final minutes before halftime. Fabian Ruiz set up Neves for his second goal in the 39th minute after a well-worked move. Five minutes later, Doué’s cross from the right led to a deflection off Avilés and into the net. In first-half stoppage time, Hakimi followed up his own shot that had struck the crossbar to make it 4–0, effectively ending the contest before the break.
In the second half, Luis Enrique opted to rest key players Ruiz and Marquinhos. PSG continued to press forward, with Doué trying his luck from the edge of the box and Barcola narrowly missing a fifth goal. Hakimi also came close to adding a second, only to be denied by Ustari.
Inter Miami offered little in response, with their only notable chance arriving in the 80th minute—a Messi header comfortably saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. The final whistle confirmed PSG’s progression and ended Messi and Inter Miami’s run in the tournament.
PSG will now await the outcome of Flamengo vs Bayern Munich, with the quarter-final set for Saturday, July 5 in Atlanta at 6 PM.
