Paris Saint-Germain delivered a dominant and at times devastating performance as they thrashed Inter Miami to progress to the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.
A Joao Neves brace, a Tomas Aviles own goal and an Achraf Hakimi tap-in, all coming in the first half, completed a convincing 4-0 victory as the European champions blew away their MLS opponents.
Lionel Messi was meeting a former team of his for the first time in his illustrious career but even the majestic 38-year-old could do very little to stop the PSG onslaught as Luis Enrique’s men laid down a statement of intent in the Round of 16.
On this showing, the French top-flight winners will take some stopping as they lie in wait for either Bayern Munich or Flamengo in the last eight.
FOUR. NIL.
We continue! 👊#PSGMIA I #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/wINGUhBhZ3
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) June 29, 2025
How the action unfolded
It took little over three minutes for PSG to show why they are the kings of Europe. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia danced through the Miami defence before laying the ball off the Bradley Barcola, but the 22-year-old’s finish could only find the legs of goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
It proved to be a premonition. Just moments later, a ball to the back post from Vitinha was met by Neves who made no mistake with a powerful header into the far corner of the net.
PSG were purring, linking up with almost telepathic precision and one-touch passes aplenty. Miami, meanwhile, looked like they might be in for a rather daunting next hour and a half.
On 15-minutes, the Ligue 1 champions again had the ball in the back of net courtesy of Fabian Ruiz but the goal was chalked off for offside.
The PSG onslaught was relentless. Kvaratskhelia bent a strike inches wide before the Georgian again bamboozled the Inter back-line but Ustari smothered his attempt from a tight angle.
Ruiz then arrowed an effort just over with Miami seemingly left with no other option than damage limitation.
But in the 39th minute, the floodgates opened. It began with an another incisive move from Enrique’s side which culminated in Ruiz rolling the ball across goal for Neves to tap home his second goal of the match.
The vultures were suddenly circling Mascherano’s men. On the stroke of half-time, a ball into the box from the right cannoned off the recovering Aviles into his own net before Hakimi added a fourth to conclude a 45 minutes to forget for Messi and co.
39′ GOAAAAAL!
JOÃO NEVES again — some great pressure and slick passing as @PSG_English double their lead!
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #PSGMIA pic.twitter.com/Kqf6KEeEUE
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 29, 2025
Given the one-way traffic of the first-half, it was somewhat surprising that the first chance of the second fell the way of Miami.
A sublime Messi touch set up Luis Suarez in the box but the ageing forward lacked the sharpness to provide the required finish.
On the hour mark, Enrique introduced Ousmane Dembele for his first minutes of the tournament.
PSG’s top scorer last season was returning from an injury he picked up while on international duty with France.
But by that point, the tie was all but done and dusted. Desire Doue rifled a left-footed drive the wrong side of the post, while, at the other end, Messi drew a stop from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Miami had shown some fight but the damage had been done by PSG in nine devastating first-half minutes.
The champions of Europe march on to the last eight and, on this showing, will fancy their chances of becoming champions of the world.
