Paris Saint-Germain put on a clinical display of dominance Sunday night, sweeping aside Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 4-0 in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A brace from João Neves, an own goal by Tomás Avilés, and a sharp finish from Achraf Hakimi secured PSG’s emphatic victory and a quarterfinal date with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
The reigning UEFA Champions League winners wasted no time imposing themselves. Within six minutes, João Neves found space at the far post and buried a powerful header from a pinpoint Fabián Ruiz free kick to put PSG ahead. It was a sign of things to come.
Neves added his second in the 39th minute, finishing a well-orchestrated team move. Bradley Barcola and Ruiz combined neatly on the flank before the Spanish midfielder delivered a curling cross that Neves slotted home clinically to double the French side’s advantage.
Inter Miami, featuring global icon Lionel Messi, offered little resistance in the first half. Surrounded and stifled by PSG’s disciplined midfield, Messi was largely anonymous. The Herons’ struggles deepened when defender Tomás Avilés turned the ball into his own net under pressure, making it 3-0. Just before the halftime whistle, Hakimi surged forward and struck a composed finish into the bottom corner, capping off a four-goal first half that left Miami shellshocked.
The second half saw a marginally more engaged Messi, who forced a diving save from Gianluigi Donnarumma with a header off a rare counter-attack. The stadium erupted in anticipation during a late free-kick opportunity for the Argentine legend, but his effort struck the wall and the chance of a consolation goal fizzled.
Inter Miami’s best opportunity came just after the break when Luis Suárez was slipped through on goal. But the 38-year-old striker’s touch deserted him, and the ball dribbled out for a goal kick. Suárez’s frustration boiled over as he kicked a water bottle over the advertising boards, summing up a dismal night for the Herons.
Despite chants of “Messi! Messi! Messi!” echoing from the large contingent of pink-clad fans, the Argentine magician was effectively neutralized by a swarming PSG side that outclassed their MLS counterparts in every phase.
With the win, PSG advance to the quarterfinals, where they will meet Bayern Munich, who beat Flamengo later Sunday. As for Inter Miami, their Club World Cup dreams end abruptly, outclassed by the European elite and left to regroup ahead of the next MLS campaign.
Scorers: PSG: João Neves (6’, 39’), Tomás Avilés (own goal, 42’), Achraf Hakimi (45’)
Upcoming Fixture: Quarterfinal – Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich
