Lionel Messi and inter miami‘s journey in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has concluded, following a decisive 4-0 defeat to his former club, Paris Saint-Germain. The round of 16 clash, held in Atlanta, saw the European champions deliver a dominant performance, particularly in a clinical first half that sealed Inter Miami’s elimination from the tournament. Despite the heavy scoreline, Inter Miami’s run to the knockout stages represented a significant achievement for the MLS side, positioning them as the only American team to escape the group phase. This match highlighted the stark difference in class on the day but also offered insights into Inter Miami’s potential and areas for growth on the global stage.
PSG’s First-Half Blitz Secures Dominant Victory
Paris Saint-Germain wasted no time asserting their authority in the match. They quickly dismantled Inter Miami’s defense, scoring all four goals within the opening 45 minutes. This blistering start effectively ended the contest before the halftime whistle.
The scoring began just six minutes in when João Neves found himself unmarked in the box and headed home from a corner. This early setback visibly rattled the MLS team. Neves wasn’t finished, doubling his tally and PSG’s lead around the 39-minute mark with a composed finish that capped off a fluid team move.
Inter Miami’s difficulties compounded rapidly in the final moments of the half. A defensive mix-up resulted in an unfortunate own goal credited to Tomas Avilés in the 44th minute, pushing the score to 3-0. Achraf Hakimi then added a fourth goal just before the break, scoring on the rebound after his initial shot struck the crossbar. This devastating five-minute spell before halftime proved insurmountable for the American side. PSG’s Expected Goals (xG) of 2.49 compared to Inter Miami’s 0.43 further underscores their first-half dominance and clinical finishing.
Mascherano Reflects on Tournament Goals and Tough Defeat
Speaking after the match, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano offered a pragmatic assessment of his team’s Club World Cup campaign and the challenging encounter against PSG. He emphasized that despite the heavy defeat, the team had largely achieved the objectives they set out for the tournament.
Mascherano acknowledged the difficulty of the match, particularly the overwhelming nature of the first half. He starkly described the initial period as “kind of like a bloodbath,” highlighting how easily PSG managed to score early goals. He stressed the immense challenge of facing a team with PSG’s quality, noting their “so many tools” and “high level of mobility” across the pitch, making it impossible to cover all areas defensively.
Despite the bleak scoreline at halftime, Mascherano praised his players’ response in the second half. The message, he said, was to accept the situation and strive to “show a good image to people.” He felt the team “did really well in second half,” trying their best and adhering to their desired playing style, even when the result was effectively decided. He reiterated his pride in what the team had accomplished overall during the tournament, particularly their unexpected progression from a tough group stage. Looking ahead, he stated the focus would shift to leveraging this experience for domestic competitions.
When asked about how Major League Soccer might bridge the gap to elite European leagues, Mascherano deferred, suggesting those within MLS leadership were better equipped to answer such a complex question. His comments painted a picture of a coach proud of his team’s effort and exceeding initial expectations, even when confronted with the undeniable superiority of a global football powerhouse like PSG.
Messi’s Second-Half Efforts and Enduring Appeal
For Lionel Messi, facing his former Paris Saint-Germain teammates added another layer to the high-stakes match. While he struggled to make a significant impact in the one-sided first half, mirroring his team’s overall performance, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner showcased glimpses of his enduring genius in the second period.
As Inter Miami found slightly more space and settled into the half, Messi became more influential. He delivered a stunning dinked pass to Luis Suarez, who unfortunately couldn’t control the volley. Messi also demonstrated his trademark dribbling, weaving past multiple PSG defenders and midfielders on several occasions, reminding the crowd of his incredible close control.
He managed to get a couple of shots away, including a header that forced a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma and a free kick from a promising position that hit the wall. Although he never truly troubled the PSG goalkeeper with a match-altering moment, his increased activity and flashes of brilliance underlined that at 38, Messi remains a world-class footballer capable of creating something out of nothing. The manager’s praise post-match reflected this, noting Messi played an “amazing game” within the difficult circumstances and that his continued ability to draw fans underscores his immense “greatness.” The mutual respect from his former PSG teammates, including jersey swaps and warm embraces with Achraf Hakimi and Gianluigi Donnarumma, was also a notable moment after the final whistle.
PSG Marches On, MLS Teams Exit
Paris Saint-Germain’s comprehensive victory sees them advance comfortably to the Club World Cup quarter-finals. Coach Luis Enrique expressed satisfaction with the team’s “almost perfect” start and their ability to control the game, although he noted a drop in energy during the second half. Man of the Match João Neves, who bagged his first career brace, was understandably thrilled with his performance and the team’s win, emphasizing their continued focus throughout the match.
The match also saw the welcome return of Ousmane Dembele from injury, providing a boost for PSG’s options moving forward. With this win, PSG has now scored four or more goals an impressive 20 times since the start of the 2024-25 season, highlighting their attacking prowess. They now await the winner of the quarter-final clash between Flamengo and Bayern Munich, set to be played at the same Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, July 5.
Inter Miami’s elimination means that no MLS teams will feature in the Club World Cup quarter-finals. Inter Miami was the sole MLS representative to successfully navigate the group stage, a notable achievement given the challenging competition. The other two MLS participants had less successful campaigns; Seattle Sounders finished bottom of Group B without earning a single point, while LAFC managed just one point, finishing last in Group D. While the heavy loss to PSG brought their tournament run to an end, Inter Miami can take some pride in being the last MLS team standing and exceeding initial expectations by progressing from their group. The 4-0 scoreline, while humbling, was even noted by some as a less severe outcome than past defeats other clubs (like Inter Milan’s 5-0 loss) have suffered against PSG, suggesting Inter Miami was “certainly not embarrassed” relative to the opponent’s caliber.
There is little time for Inter Miami to dwell on their Club World Cup exit. The team is scheduled to return to MLS action quickly, facing CF Montreal away at Stade Saputo on July 5th. This swift return to domestic competition marks the next focus for Messi and his teammates as they aim to build on the lessons learned from their challenging but ultimately positive experience on the global stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Inter Miami vs PSG Club World Cup match?
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Inter Miami with a final score of 4-0 in the Round of 16 match at the Club World Cup. PSG scored all four goals in the first half through Joao Neves (twice), an own goal by Tomas Aviles, and Achraf Hakimi. The second half remained scoreless.
How did Lionel Messi perform against his former club PSG?
Lionel Messi had limited impact in the first half as PSG dominated, but he stepped up his involvement in the second half. He demonstrated impressive passing and dribbling skills, creating chances and getting shots away, including a header saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Despite not scoring or assisting, his performance in the second period showed he remains a world-class player, and his manager praised his effort.
How did other MLS teams fare in the Club World Cup compared to Inter Miami?
Inter Miami was the only MLS team to advance from the group stage at the Club World Cup 2025. Seattle Sounders finished last in their group without earning any points, while LAFC finished bottom of their group with just one point. Inter Miami’s progression to the Round of 16, although ending in elimination by PSG, made them the most successful MLS representative in the tournament.
