In Atlanta, Paris Saint-Germain delivered a stunning thrashing against Inter Miami in the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 1:00 PM. With an overwhelming first-half performance, the French side scored four goals, led by João Neves, who netted twice, and Hakimi, who sealed the rout. The match, part of the round of 16, put Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, Inter Miami’s stars, in a completely outclassed position. Under Luis Enrique’s command, PSG controlled possession and neutralized any attempt at a comeback from the Americans, who couldn’t advance past midfield. The game, officiated by Brazilian referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio, remains ongoing, with the score at 4-0 at the end of the first 45 minutes.
PSG’s dominance was absolute from the opening whistle. With a solid midfield led by Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz, the French team exploited Inter Miami’s defensive flaws, particularly on the right flank, where Weigandt struggled against Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes. The Atlanta crowd, expecting a balanced duel due to Messi’s reunion with his former club, witnessed PSG impose a frenetic pace with swift, precise plays. The Parisian intensity gave Inter Miami no chance, as the Americans, despite big names like Busquets and Alba, failed to create attacking moves.
- Key first-half highlights:
- João Neves scored twice, showcasing goal-scoring instinct and precision.
- Hakimi was decisive, with a stunning goal and involvement in other plays.
- Inter Miami failed to produce any dangerous shots, overwhelmed by PSG’s pressure.
PSG’s tactical superiority, combined with Inter Miami’s defensive frailty, turned the game into a one-sided affair. With every attack, the French side seemed closer to extending the lead, while the Americans struggled to avoid an even greater embarrassment.
PSG’s relentless attack
Paris Saint-Germain took the field with an attacking lineup, set by Luis Enrique with Donnarumma in goal, a solid defense led by Marquinhos and Pacho, and a lethal attack featuring Doué, Kvaratskhelia, and Barcola. The strategy of pressing from the start paid off at the 5th minute when Vitinha delivered a precise free kick for João Neves to open the scoring. The 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder showed maturity, diving unmarked into the box to head past goalkeeper Ustari.
At the 38th minute, Neves struck again. After a Busquets error in possession, Barcola linked up with Fabián Ruiz, who found the Portuguese free to finish with class. The second goal cemented PSG’s dominance, leaving Inter Miami breathless. The American defense, disorganized, was punished again at the 43rd minute when Avilés scored an own goal after a Doué cross. The final blow came in stoppage time, with Hakimi capitalizing on a rebound to make it 4-0.
The Moroccan right-back, a former teammate of Messi at PSG, was one of the standout performers. Beyond his goal, Hakimi was heavily involved in offensive plays, exploiting the right flank with speed and accuracy. His performance underscores his importance in Luis Enrique’s tactical setup, which effectively targeted the opponent’s weaknesses.
Inter Miami overwhelmed
Inter Miami, coached by Javier Mascherano, fielded a lineup blending experience and youth, with Ustari in goal, a backline of Weigandt, Falcón, Allen, and Alba, and an attack led by Messi and Suárez. However, the American side couldn’t impose their game. A lack of creativity in midfield, where Busquets and Redondo were nullified by Vitinha and Fabián, limited their attacking chances.
Messi, facing his former club for the first time since leaving PSG in 2023, had a lackluster performance. The Argentine tried some moves down the right but was tightly marked by Nuno Mendes and Pacho. Suárez, meanwhile, failed to control the ball in key moments, such as at the 13th minute when he misplayed a pass in the box. Inter Miami’s fans, hoping for a reaction led by their stars, saw the team dominated in every area of the pitch.
- Inter Miami’s weaknesses:
- Defensive errors, especially on the right with Weigandt.
- Lack of midfield cohesion, with Busquets misplacing passes.
- No dangerous shots in the first half.
- Two yellow cards for hard fouls, showing a lack of composure.
Inter Miami’s struggles were compounded by Allen’s injury, who left the field at the 16th minute, replaced by Avilés. The substitution had no impact, and the team continued to suffer under PSG’s relentless pressure.
Minute-by-minute: defining moments
The match was marked by moments that highlighted PSG’s superiority. Below are the key first-half plays that shaped the 4-0 scoreline:
- 5’ – João Neves’ goal: Vitinha takes a free kick from the left, and Neves heads in unmarked to open the scoring.
- 38’ – Neves’ second goal: After a Busquets mistake, Barcola and Fabián set up the play, and the Portuguese finishes with precision.
- 41’ – Weigandt yellow card: The right-back commits a hard foul on Nuno Mendes, reflecting Inter Miami’s frustration.
- 43’ – Avilés’ own goal: Doué crosses into the box, and the American defender scores against his own team, making it 3-0.
- 47’ – Hakimi’s goal: Vitinha launches Barcola, who sets up Hakimi; the right-back hits the crossbar and scores on the rebound.
These moments show how PSG capitalized on their opponent’s mistakes with well-executed plays and an intensity Inter Miami couldn’t match. Wilton Pereira Sampaio’s refereeing was discreet but accurate, issuing two yellow cards to the American side for rough challenges.
Club World Cup context
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States, brings together the world’s top clubs in an expanded 32-team format. PSG reached the round of 16 after topping Group B, with convincing wins over Atlético Madrid and Seattle Sounders, despite a loss to Botafogo. Inter Miami, seen as an underdog, surprised in the group stage, advancing unbeaten with draws against Al Ahly and Palmeiras and a win over Porto.
The Atlanta clash carries symbolic weight, particularly due to Messi’s reunion with PSG. The Argentine, who had a turbulent stint at the French club from 2021 to 2023, couldn’t replicate his Barcelona brilliance. Now with Inter Miami, he faces a revitalized PSG, featuring young talents like João Neves and Kvaratskhelia, who have shone in the tournament.
The match also highlights the rivalry between two ambitious projects. On one side, Qatar-backed PSG aims for its first world title. On the other, David Beckham’s Inter Miami seeks to establish its global brand with stars like Messi and Suárez. So far, however, PSG appears far closer to advancing to the quarterfinals.
Numbers behind the dominance
The first half reflected the technical and tactical gap between the teams. PSG held 68% possession, compared to Inter Miami’s 32%. The French side also took 12 shots, 6 on target, while Inter Miami failed to register a single shot on Donnarumma’s goal. PSG’s efficiency was further evident in corners: 7 against 1 for their opponents.
- First-half stats:
- Possession: PSG 68% x 32% Inter Miami.
- Shots: PSG 12 (6 on target) x 0 Inter Miami.
- Corners: PSG 7 x 1 Inter Miami.
- Fouls committed: PSG 3 x 8 Inter Miami.
- Yellow cards: 0 PSG x 2 Inter Miami.
These figures illustrate PSG’s control in every aspect, from possession to chance creation. Inter Miami, conversely, needs an improbable turnaround in the second half to avoid elimination.
What to expect in the second half
With a 4-0 lead, PSG enters the second half with qualification all but secured. Luis Enrique may choose to rest players like João Neves or Kvaratskhelia, giving minutes to substitutes. Inter Miami, under Mascherano, must go all-out for a comeback, which could leave them vulnerable to PSG’s counterattacks.
The Atlanta crowd, largely American, still hopes for a spark from Messi or Suárez, but the task seems nearly impossible given PSG’s dominance. The winner of this clash will face the victor of Flamengo x Bayern Munich, scheduled for 5:00 PM on the same day.