Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the Club World Cup quarter-finals with a commanding 4-0 victory over Inter Miami, underlining the vast gulf in quality between the two sides. From the outset, the European champions took control and dismantled their MLS opponents with clinical efficiency, effectively sealing the match before half-time.
João Neves opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a well-timed header from a set piece, capitalising on a lapse in Inter Miami’s marking. PSG’s relentless pressure continued, and while a second goal by Fabián Ruiz was ruled out for offside, the French side remained firmly in command. Inter offered little in return, struggling to get out of their half for much of the opening period.
PSG’s dominance was reflected in the statistics and the flow of the game. By the break, Lionel Messi had managed just 14 touches, Luis Suárez 17, and midfielders Sergio Busquets and Fede Redondo had barely influenced the play. PSG, meanwhile, were dynamic, cohesive, and tireless, outpacing and outthinking their opponents at every turn.
The floodgates opened just before half-time. Busquets was dispossessed in midfield, and Ruiz squared the ball for Neves to calmly slot home his second. Soon after, a low cross caused confusion in the Miami defence, leading Tomás Avilés to turn the ball into his own net. PSG weren’t done just before the break, Vitinha released Bradley Barcola with a sweeping pass, and after Barcola’s first effort hit the bar, Achraf Hakimi pounced on the rebound to make it 4-0.
The second half was more subdued. PSG eased off, knowing the job was done, while Inter Miami tried to salvage some pride. Messi had a brief spell of involvement, including a saved header and a late free-kick that hit the wall. That set-piece was symbolic his trademark style, the crowd’s anticipation, but no magical ending. It encapsulated the evening: a game built up around his presence, but one that ultimately belonged to PSG.
For Inter Miami, participation in the Club World Cup was already an overachievement, and the result was a reminder of the reality they face against elite European competition. PSG’s superiority in every department from fitness to technical sharpness was overwhelming. They move into the quarter-finals with momentum, while Miami exit with lessons to learn and memories of what top-level football demands.
