PSG destroy Messi’s Inter Miami in Club World Cup Round of 16 — 4:0 by halftime
French side Paris Saint-Germain confidently advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup by thrashing Inter Miami 4–0. All goals came in the first half, and Lionel Messi couldn't save his team against his former club.
Decisive first half
The match was billed as Messi's showdown with PSG, where he played from 2021 to 2023. But the intrigue lasted only minutes. João Neves scored a brace (6', 39'), Avilés netted an own goal (44'), and Hakimi made it 4–0 just before halftime (45+3').
Inter Miami couldn’t withstand PSG’s attacking pressure: they failed to register a single shot in the first half and held only 31% possession.
Lineups and key moments
Miami started all their veterans — Messi, Busquets, Alba, and Suárez — but their experience wasn’t enough. Busquets lost the ball before the second goal, and Avilés, replacing the injured Allen, scored an own goal and then allowed Hakimi to finish a rebound.
PSG looked far superior — intense pressing, fast wings, and total control from the first minute.
Second half without changes
Inter Miami played more actively after the break, but Donnarumma stopped two efforts from Messi — the most dangerous being a bouncing header. Messi also missed a final chance from a promising free kick, shooting into the wall.
What’s next?
PSG advance to face Bayern in the quarterfinals. Inter Miami and Messi are out of the tournament after a heavy defeat, failing to challenge the favorites.
