The last representative of the MLS falls: PSG crushed Inter Miami 4-0 in the round of 16
A devastating first half eliminated Messi’s team from the Club World Cup
PSG left no room for surprises. In an overwhelming performance, the reigning European champions thrashed Inter Miami 4-0 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and advanced without incident to the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club World Cup. It was an undisputed victory, built in the first 45 minutes in front of 65,574 spectators.
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The match generated great expectations, especially due to Lionel Messi's reunion with the club he left in 2023 to join the MLS. But the excitement was short-lived. Paris Saint-Germain, managed by Luis Enrique, imposed their authority from the start, subjecting the Americans with suffocating pressure and an unattainable pace of play.
From total dominance to a lethal blow: PSG resolved everything in 45 minutes
Javier Mascherano, Inter coach, had warned that if his players didn't control the ball, they would suffer. And so it was. In the 4th minute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia created the first clear chance and set off the alarm bells. Then, Joao Neves opened the scoring with a header from a free kick. It was just the beginning of the storm.
The second came in the 39th minute, the result of a serious error by Sergio Busquets that Fabián Ruiz converted into an assist for Neves' double.
Then, a cross from Désiré Doué ended with an own goal by Tomás Avilés, and shortly before halftime, Achraf Hakimi completed the 4-0 after converting his own rebound.
PSG wasn't just efficient. They were superior in every sector of the pitch. In that first half, Inter couldn't get out of their own half and didn't have a single shot on goal.
With nothing left to lose, Inter Miami came out for the second half with a different attitude. Messi took the team on his shoulders and tried to create danger. In the 49th minute, he set up Luis Suárez, who wasted a clear chance. He then tried his own goal in the 63rd minute and again in the 80th minute with a header that Donnarumma blocked.
Even at the end, with a free kick from the edge of the area, the Argentine came close to scoring, but his shot hit the wall.At that point, PSG was playing with less intensity, saving energy for its next match.