In a commanding display at Atlanta’s Mercedes‑Benz Stadium on June 29, 2025, Paris Saint‑Germain dismantled Inter Miami 4–0, booking their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter‑finals. Here’s a deep dive into their performance, key talking points, and what lies ahead.
PSG’s supreme first‑half display
- Early punch from Neves – Joao Neves opened the floodgates in just the 6th minute, nodding in a perfectly delivered free‑kick from Vitinha to give PSG the lead.
- Neves doubles up before the break – In the 39th minute, Neves struck again following a slick combination involving Bradley Barcola and Fabián Ruiz.
- Own goal compounds Miami’s woes – Tomas Avilés’ unfortunate deflection in the 44th minute further extended PSG’s cushion.
- Hakimi caps first‑half rout – Achraf Hakimi added the fourth right before halftime, capitalizing on a rebound from the crossbar.
By the interval, the result was all but sealed — four goals, zero response.
Miami’s struggles & Messi’s limited impact
- Ustari busy but ineffective – Miami keeper Oscar Ustari made several saves but lacked support, as PSG dominated parc retenu possession.
- Messi contained – The Argentine attempted to spark a revival in the second half; his header saved by Donnarumma and a late free‑kick struck the wall, but those efforts fell short.
- A historic blow – This marked Miami’s heaviest loss in the Club World Cup and the first time an MLS side conceded four in the tournament.
- Messi’s Club World Cup record ends – For the first time since his debut in 2009, Messi suffered defeat in this competition—a streak of six wins and two draws snapped.
Coaches’ perspectives
- Luis Enrique (PSG): Celebrated the team’s dominance but emphasized there’s room for improvement: “It was an almost perfect match, we created a lot of chances… yet I think we still need to improve”.
- Javier Mascherano (Miami): Praised his players’ fight despite the gulf in quality: “You could see the difference in class… but we took them on”.
Tactical analysis
- Midfield control – PSG’s midfield press left Miami making just 25 passes in PSG’s half compared to 257 for PSG . This control neutralized any rhythm Miami tried to establish.
- Clinical finishing – PSG converted early chances with precision, showing maturity and ruthlessness in the final third.
- High-press discipline – With Luis Enrique at the helm, PSG executed a disciplined, cohesive pressing system that expectedly stifled Miami’s creativity.
Next up for PSG
Paris will face either Bayern Munich or Flamengo in the quarter‑finals, scheduled for next Saturday, with eyes on completing another historic run in the tournament. As reigning Champions League winners and domestic treble champions, PSG are now the clear team to beat.
Context & significance
- Club status affirmed – Add this performance to PSG’s impressive 2024–25 season, where they secured the Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League. The Club World Cup remains the final continental prize on their radar.
- MLS reality check – Miami’s style, while ambitious, struggled under pressure. The 4–0 defeat highlights the persistent gap between top European clubs and most MLS sides—the first MLS side to concede four in a single Club World Cup match.
- Messi’s twilight phase – At 38, Messi continues to contribute but is no longer unplayable. This result marks a symbolic end of an era at the Club World Cup stage .
Paris Saint‑Germain’s emphatic win not only secures progression but sends a clear message: they remain one of the most formidable forces in global club football. Miami’s journey ends here—but learning from this will shape their future. Now PSG’s gaze turns to their next challenge: can they convert this momentum into Club World Cup glory?
