PSG Crush Inter Miami to reach Club World Cup Quarter-Final
by Lwandioso Simanga
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) cruised into the Club World Cup quarter-finals with a dominant 4-0 victory over Inter Miami, effectively ending the match as a contest within the first half. Despite the presence of global icon Lionel Messi on the pitch, the match was a one-sided affair, highlighting the gulf in quality between the European champions and the American hopefuls.
PSG took the lead just over five minutes in and never looked back. An own goal by Tomás Avilés before halftime only compounded Miami’s woes, with Luis Enrique’s side maintaining complete control throughout. Although PSG registered 73% possession modest by their usual standards they never allowed Miami to find a foothold.
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Messi, who had been largely subdued, had one final moment to leave his mark. With just minutes remaining, he stood over a free kick outside the box. It was a familiar scene the anticipation, the hush, the possibility. But this time, the shot hit the wall, a symbol of the resistance he and his team had faced all night.
Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami’s coach, had admitted before the game that simply playing against a team like PSG felt unexpected. His prediction rang true as the French side’s class and precision proved too much for Miami, who were given little chance to participate meaningfully until the match was long decided.
Ultimately, PSG’s superiority wasn’t just in the scoreline or statistics it was in their unrelenting dominance, leaving little doubt about their ambitions in this tournament.
