PSG Powers Past Inter Miami with First-Half Blitz in Club World Cup

In front of a crowd of 65,574 in Atlanta, Paris Saint-Germain put in a first-half masterclass en route to a 4-0 win over Inter Miami CF in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. It was a match that showed the gulf in sharpness, speed, and cohesion between one of Europe’s elite and a developing MLS side still learning how to navigate international tournaments at this level.

João Neves celebrating the opening goal with Fabián Ruiz (photos by Sofia Cupertino for the SDH Network)

PSG came out flying from the first whistle, nearly taking the lead in the opening minute after a slicing ball into the box from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who found Bradley Barcola. But Inter Miami’s veteran goalkeeper Óscar Ustari came up with a big early save to keep things level.

Just minutes later, Miami conceded a free kick outside the box after a foul by Marcelo Weigandt. Vítinha delivered a chipped ball into the area, where João Neves met it with a precise header low into the corner to open the scoring. From that moment on, PSG seized full control of the tempo and refused to let go.

Their pressing was relentless. Miami struggled to string together meaningful strides of possession, held back by the speed and precision of PSG’s midfield and defensive line. In the 15th minute, PSG almost doubled their lead off a corner sequence involving a headed pass and a chest finish, but the goal was ruled out for offside on Fabián Ruiz.

Inter Miami’s frustration began to boil over. Tomás Avilés picked up a yellow in the 20th minute for a reckless challenge, which not only halted a PSG attack but also confirmed he would miss the next match if Miami advanced—an increasingly unlikely scenario as the match progressed. PSG continued to pile on the pressure, especially down the right side through Barcola and with Kvaratskhelia constantly threatening from range. Kvaratskhelia had a blistering shot just outside the box in the 20th minute and another low-angle drive in the 28th, both denied by the impressive Ustari of Inter Miami.

In the 39th minute, PSG’s dominance paid off again. After a midfield turnover, Neves played it ahead to Ruiz, who sliced through two defenders before returning it to Neves for a calm tap-in to the back of the net, giving him a brace in this match. A 43rd-minute yellow card to Weigandt only deepened Miami’s disciplinary troubles as they struggled to cope with PSG’s overwhelming press and devastating attacking transitions.

Moments later, disaster struck for Miami. A Désiré Doué cross into the box deflected off Avilés’ arm and past Ustari, officially counted as an own goal to make it 3-0. In first-half stoppage time, PSG capped their blitz with a fourth goal: Vítinha initiated the move from midfield, Barcola cut it back to Achraf Hakimi, whose initial shot hit the crossbar before he slotted in the rebound from close range.

Miami entered the break down 4-0.

To their credit, the Herons emerged after halftime with renewed energy, led by Lionel Messi. In the 48th minute, he crafted up a volleyed pass at the top of the arc that forced a strong save. Ustari remained busy, making another huge stop in the 58th minute to keep the scoreline respectable.

Messi continued to carry the threat, gliding past defenders in the 63rd minute after a near half-field run, only to come up just short of applying the finish inside the box. Miami never quite found the final touch. PSG’s style of football—fast, fluid, and ruthless in transition—kept them firmly in control, and their quick-hit attacking patterns consistently exposed the Herons’ inability to maintain structure under pressure.

In the end, PSG’s first-half flurry was more than enough. Les Rouge-et-Bleu move on to the quarterfinals looking every bit the title contenders they’re expected to be. For Inter Miami, it’s a harsh but revealing lesson in the difference between domestic dominance and competing with Europe's elite.