PSG book quarterfinals ticket, breeze part Messi’s Inter Miami

Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday showed their European credentials again with a classy first-half performance to send Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami out of the FIFA World Club Cup to reach the quarterfinals.

The reigning European champions opened the clash with a 5-minute goal from Joao Neves before scoring a further three in the first half to take the game beyond the team who sit sixth in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.

The Paris team opened the goals account when Neves stooped down to head Vitinha’s free-kick in from close range in Atlanta.

The Portugal midfielder got his brace in the 39th minute when he slotted in a fine pass from Fabian Ruiz courtesy of a sweet team move involving Bradley Barcola.

Ruiz had earlier nodded in a cross that was disallowed for offside.

PSG made it three as Desire Doue’s cross was turned into his net by Tomas Aviles before Achraf Hakimi slammed in the fourth in added time after his initial effort had been deflected onto the bar.

The French champions gave Messi not a single space in the first half but eased up in the second half, and the Argentine legend had a couple of chances for Inter Miami. He almost scored late in the second half with a header from Jordi Alba’s cross, but Gianlugui Donnarumma was there to make a safe.

PSG will play Bayern Munich or Flamengo in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

PSG had the chance to even score more, but with the business done with four first half goals, Luis Enrique took the sensible option by bringing off Ruiz and Marquinhos at half-time, conserving their energy for Saturday’s tie against tougher opposition.

He also gave top scorer Ousmane Dembele some minutes following the injury which kept him out of the group games.