Lionel Messi (Front L) of Inter Miami CF competes during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
ATLANTA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- European champions Paris Saint-Germain highlighted the gulf in class between European and North American football on Sunday, as Luis Enrique's side overwhelmed Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 4-0 to book a place in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals.
PSG was simply much sharper than a rival that may have Messi as its standard-bearer, but is clearly not quick or strong enough to compete with the elite.
The Inter Miami squad had a familiar look to PSG coach Luis Enrique, with five key figures from his time at FC Barcelona - Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and Messi - in the starting 11, and Javier Mascherano on the coaching staff.
He may have known them well, but that didn't mean Luis Enrique's side showed any mercy.
The problem for Inter was age. Busquets and Alba are both 36, while Messi and Suarez are 38. Although their talent and legacy are unquestioned, against Europe's best, it wasn't enough.
Just three minutes into the match, goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was called into action to stop Bradley Barcola after a brilliant run by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
It was only a matter of time. PSG opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Joao Neves ghosted in at the far post to head in Vitinha's free kick.
Fabian Ruiz had a goal ruled out, but with PSG completely overrunning its opponent, the second goal felt inevitable. It came in the 39th minute when Neves finished a smooth passing move set up by Ruiz.
The third came five minutes later, just before halftime, when Tomas Aviles deflected Desire Doue's drilled cross into his own net. In first-half stoppage time, PSG carved open Inter's defense again, with Achraf Hakimi adding a fourth.
With the result all but sealed, PSG eased off in the second half, giving the game a more open feel and allowing Messi a few flashes of activity. He forced a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 80th minute with a header, while at the other end, Ustari tipped over a Barcola shot in a half that did little to change the outcome. ■
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF walks out during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF hugs with Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain after the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi (2nd R) of Inter Miami CF reacts during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Lionel Messi (L) of Inter Miami competes during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Starting players of Paris Saint-Germain line up for photograph before the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Tomas Aviles (L) of Inter Miami CF defends Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Bradley Barcola (R) of Paris Saint-Germain competes during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Starting players of Inter Miami CF line up for photograph before the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Lionel Messi (L) of Inter Miami CF competes during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Lionel Messi (L) of Inter Miami CF competes during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF reacts during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Luis Suarez (R) of Inter Miami CF receives an yellow card during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi (L) of Inter Miami CF hugs with Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain after the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF reacts during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
David Beckham, president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF is seen before the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Joao Neves (C) of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Joao Neves (L) of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring during the round of 16 match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Inter Miami CF (USA) at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, the United States, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ming)