Lionel Messi experienced a bitter disappointment in his first competitive encounter against a former club, as a rampant Paris Saint-Germain side dismantled Inter Miami with a scintillating first-half display, easing to a dominant 4-0 victory in the Club World Cup (CWC) last-16 tie in Atlanta.
Despite enjoying an unbeaten run through the group stage, the Floridians entered this contest as clear underdogs against the reigning European champions, and the gulf in quality was evident from the outset. The warning signs appeared early when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia effortlessly carved through the Miami backline, setting up Bradley Barcola to force Oscar Ustari into early action.
The Herons, however, failed to heed that warning. They conceded a sixth-minute opener from a poorly defended free-kick, as João Neves was allowed an unchallenged run around the back to steer a header home from Vitinha’s deep delivery.
Javier Mascherano’s side appeared to be on course to keep the deficit to a single goal in the first period, but the French champions launched a destructive onslaught in the closing stages of the half. Fabián Ruiz played a pivotal role in PSG doubling their advantage, stealing the ball high up the pitch before neatly exchanging passes with Barcola and setting up Neves for a simple tap-in, securing his first-ever brace for PSG.
Matters quickly worsened for Messi and his teammates. Substitute Tomás Avilés unfortunately diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper from Désiré Doué’s drilled cross, shortly before Achraf Hakimi tucked the ball home after his initial effort thumped the crossbar. This whirlwind nine-minute spell saw PSG register three goals, leaving Miami reeling.
With only pride to play for in the second half, the MLS side finally registered their first shot on target just after the hour mark, as Messi saw his tame effort comfortably gathered by Gianluigi Donnarumma at the near post. Luis Enrique’s charges showed mercy as they took their foot off the pedal as the game wore on, though Barcola still threatened with a deflected effort that looped onto the roof of the net. At the opposite end, Donnarumma made a strong stop to keep out Messi’s downward header, denying the Argentine the seventh CWC goal of his illustrious career.
The Herons ultimately failed to get on the scoresheet as their CWC journey came to a difficult end. PSG will remain in Atlanta for a quarter-final meeting against either Flamengo or Bayern Munich on Saturday.
