Paris Saint-Germain’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma embraces Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi after the Membership World Cup spherical of 16 soccer match in Atlanta on June 29, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
João Neves scored a pair of objectives for Paris Saint-Germain and the world’s finest group overwhelmed one of many recreation’s biggest gamers, embarrassing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 4-0 within the spherical of 16 on the Membership World Cup on Sunday (June 29, 2025).
With Messi dealing with the group the place he spent two seasons earlier than transferring to Main League Soccer within the twilight of his stellar profession, the European champions shortly erased the Herons’ hopes of pulling off a monumental upset earlier than a crowd of 65,574 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Neves scored his first purpose simply six minutes into the match, changing a header on the again publish off a free kick. The Portuguese midfielder added one other within the thirty ninth minute earlier than Inter Miami completely fell aside within the closing levels of the primary half, surrendering an own-goal after which watching helplessly as Achraf Hakimi tacked on one other in stoppage time to ship PSG to the locker room with a four-goal cushion.
It was harking back to PSG’s historic 5-0 rout of Inter Milan a month in the past within the Champions League last, when the Paris membership received its first European title and established itself because the clear favourite heading into the expanded Membership World Cup.
The pink-clad followers tried to stir No. 10 with occasional chants of “Messi! Messi! Messi!” nevertheless it did little good. The Argentine star spent many of the first half simply lingering within the midfield, surrounded by PSG gamers and barely getting an opportunity to the touch the ball.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Joao Neves scores his aspect’s second purpose towards Inter Miami within the Membership World Cup 2025 match in Atlanta on June 29, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
AP
Inter Miami’s finest probability got here early within the second half. A move to Luis Suárez despatched him clear along side the web, however the ball slid harmlessly off his foot and not using a shot. The 38-year-old striker kicked a water bottle over the barrier in frustration, summing up the day for the Herons.
Messi lastly linked with Inter Miami’s first shot on purpose within the 63rd minute, nevertheless it was simply scooped up by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Messi had one other probability on a header with about 10 minutes remaining, forcing Donnarumma to make a diving save in the one actual risk to his third shutout of the match.
PSG superior to a quarterfinal match subsequent Saturday (July 5, 2025), additionally in Atlanta, towards Bayern Munich. The German membership defeated Flamengo of Brazil 4-2.
Key second
The European powerhouses got here into this match exhibiting little enthusiasm for the added workload on the finish of a grueling season. However, proper from the opening kick, PSG performed like a group that seems intent on capping its already sensible marketing campaign with a Membership World Cup title.
Takeaways
Even with getting older worldwide stars reminiscent of Messi and Suarez, the MLS membership wasn’t in the identical league with the European champs.
Going through fierce stress from PSG, Inter Miami struggled merely to get the ball out of its personal half.
PSG held 73% possession within the first half and outshot the Herons 10-0, together with six makes an attempt on purpose.
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi controls the ball previous Paris Saint-Germain’s Warren Zaire-Emery.
| Photograph Credit score:
AP
They mentioned it
“We had an excellent recreation. We did not cease. We saved enjoying our recreation. It was a constructive day for us.” — Neves.
“The primary half was form of like a massacre. … However I’m very happy with my group and what now we have achieved.” — Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano via an interpreter. (AP) AM AM AM
Revealed – June 30, 2025 09:27 am IST