FIFA Club World Cup
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Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have been eliminated from the Club World Cup, losing 4-0 to his former club Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 in Atlanta.
PSG scored all four goals in the first half. Joao Neves got the first two, heading home unmarked in the sixth minute before finishing off a lovely team move a half hour later. A Tomas Aviles own goal accounted for the third before Achraf Hakimi added the fourth on the stroke of half-time.
PSG advance to face the winner of Flamengo vs Bayern Munich in the quarter-final on Saturday.
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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami humbled in crushing Club World Cup exit – Paris Saint-Germain 4 Inter Miami 0
And there was praise after the match for Messi from his manager.
💬 “Leo played an amazing game. Within the possibilities we had in the second half, we saw the very best he could put forward.
“Now he is 38 and people continue to buy a ticket to see him. The people, the fans are still buying a ticket to see Leo Messi. That is his greatness bestowed upon us.”
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Lionel Messi struggled to make much of an impact on the first half of today's game, but he really stepped up in the second half.
He lofted a gorgeous pass into Luis Suarez on the volley at the beginning of the half before breezing past scores of PSG defenders and midfielders three or four times. There were also a couple of chances for the eight-time Ballon d'Or, including a header, but he never truly troubled Gianluigi Donnarumma.
If Miami's run at this tournament has taught us anything, it is that Messi is still absolutely a world-class footballer.
Those were the topics discussed in The Briefing by Mark Carey, Felipe Cardenas and Anantaajith Raghuraman — make sure to check it out at the link below.
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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami humbled in crushing Club World Cup exit – Paris Saint-Germain 4 Inter Miami 0
Luis Enrique also spoke to DAZN after his side's victory.
💬 "A great feeling. I think we started the match almost perfect, to control the match and creating a lot of chances. The second half was different, less energy and they could have scored a goal, but I'm happy.
"Happy with all the players, with the mentality, with the attitude. We need to improve, like always because that's professional football, but I'm happy."
Dembele's return has reminded me of all the talk about this tournament as a potential definitive factor for the Ballon d’Or . However, there has been nothing about this in recent weeks, which points to the fact that no one player is standing out above the rest.
Among the positives for PSG today was the return to action of Ousmane Dembele.
Before today, he hadn't played a minute at this Club World Cup having suffered a hamstring injury while on duty with France at the beginning of the month.
He didn't have a massive impact on today's game, although he came into it at a weird time with PSG clearly very keen to avoid overexertion. The Frenchman now has six days to prove that he is fit enough to start in the quarter-final.
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Superior Player of the Match Joao Neves spoke to DAZN after his two-goal performance.
💬 "I think we did a very good game. Even at 4-0 we didn't stop, we kept playing our game. I think it was a positive day for us.
"It's the first time I scored two goals in one game so I'm very happy, but I'm happier for the win.
"I think we have the same confidence because as I told you yesterday, we will play our game no matter against who, so we are confident, we are happy. Now we are tired but we will recover better."
Today's victory marks the 20th time that Paris Saint-Germain have scored at least four goals in a match since the start of the 2024-25 season.
Russell F.: PSG understandably took their foot off the gas, they have bigger fish to fry. But say what you like, Inter Miami gave it a go in the second half, although I’d put my hands up and say it bordered on having pre-season friendly vibes. I think Miami can leave with their heads held high regardless. PSG will likely win the whole tournament in my opinion.
Richard N.: It’s like watching the Globetrotters vs the Washington Generals except more one-sided.
Hugh M.: PSG agreed to leave it at 4.
While they will not be playing in a Club World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, Inter Miami will be playing in six days' time.
They return to MLS action on July 5 by facing CF Montreal at Stade Saputo — a long old trip to Canada awaits Messi and his team-mates as some stage over the next few days.
Inter Miami were the only MLS club to make it out of the group stage at this Club World Cup so their elimination means no American teams will play the quarter-finals.
The other two teams from the U.S. were much less competitive than Mascherano's men; Seattle Sounders finished bottom of Group B without a point and LAFC picked up just one point, finishing bottom of Group D.
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As I mentioned a moment ago, the PSG players clearly think very fondly of Messi having spent two years working with him every day.
Donnarumma planted a kiss on the top of his head at full time which, because of the height difference, looks a little bit like a father and his son.
I don't think even the most optimistic Inter Miami supporter will have been expecting anything other than a convincing PSG win here.
The Parisians will take some stopping at this Club World Cup and they will meet either Bayern Munich or Flamengo here at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday (July 5).
While they weren't the best two years of his career, Lionel Messi will be well respected in the PSG locker room by his former team-mates.
And one of those former team-mates, Achraf Hakimi, made a bee line for him at full time to swap jerseys.
The pair then shared a hug as they both made their way off the field.
The one thing that stand out from that result — after all the meltdown at half-time about Miami being embarrassed — is that the MLS side have fared better against PSG than Inter did in the Champions League final.
The Italians were beaten 5-0 on that day, while Miami have escaped Atlanta with a four-goal defeat.
FT PSG 4-0 Inter Miami
And there goes the full-time whistle!
PSG have made the Club World Cup quarter-final with minimal fuss in Atlanta.
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mates have been eliminated, but have certainly not been embarrassed by the European champions.
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90+1' PSG 4-0 Inter Miami
PSG are two minutes away from the Club World Cup quarter-final.
Inter Miami have two minutes of their tournament left to saviour.
89' PSG 4-0 Inter Miami
What a let down!
With the crowd inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on their feet waiting to witness some of that Messi magic, he skews the effort straight into the middle of the wall.
Lots of disgruntled faces inside the ground after that.
87' PSG 4-0 Inter Miami
Oh, hello!
Suarez is tripped on the edge of the penalty area by a clumsy Doue challenge and Inter Miami have been awarded a free kick.
This is in prime Messi territory — can he do it again?
The crowd are excited for this one…
