Joao Neves Double Fires PSG Into Club World Cup Quarterfinals With 4-0 Rout of Inter Miami

Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the Club World Cup quarterfinals with a commanding 4-0 win over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, showcasing their European pedigree with a ruthless first-half display.

Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves was the star of the show, scoring twice in a dominant performance that left the MLS side chasing shadows. PSG needed just six minutes to open their account, as Neves broke free at the far post to head home a pinpoint delivery from a set piece, setting the tone for the match.

In the 39th minute, Neves struck again to double PSG’s advantage. A swift move down the left saw Bradley Barcola feed Fabian Ruiz, who delivered a precise cross that Neves calmly finished, underlining his growing importance in the PSG midfield.

Inter Miami struggled to find their footing, and their first half woes worsened when defender Tomas Aviles inadvertently turned Desire Doue’s driven cross into his own net. Just before halftime, Achraf Hakimi sealed a perfect opening 45 minutes for the Parisians, reacting fastest after his initial shot struck the crossbar to make it 4-0.

“It was an almost perfect match, we created a lot of chances, and I’m happy yet I think we still need to improve, that’s football,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique, reflecting on his team’s clinical performance.

Lionel Messi, facing his former European rivals, showed flashes of brilliance in the second half. His header from a counter-attack was kept out by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and a late free kick rattled into the wall, denying the crowd the consolation goal they eagerly awaited.

Despite the heavy defeat, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano remained optimistic. “I’m very proud of my players. Today, you could see the difference in class, but football has given us the chance to compete. This is probably the best team in the world with a great coach, but we took them on,” he said.

PSG’s victory now sets up a tantalizing quarterfinal clash against the winner of the upcoming Flamengo vs Bayern Munich match, as the French champions continue their quest for global silverware.