Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) knocked Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami out of the FIFA Club World Cup with a 4–0 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday.

 

All four goals were scored in the first half. João Neves scored twice in the Round of 16 clash, followed by an own goal from Miami and a fourth from Achraf Hakimi before halftime. PSG will now face the winner of the Bayern Munich vs Flamengo match in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

 

Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari, saved six goal attempts, while PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma saved three shots as Javier Mascherano’s side struggled to create chances for the first 50 minutes.

 

The match was Messi’s first game against PSG since leaving the French club two years ago.

 

PSG’s Desire Doue earned a free kick just outside the penalty area within the first five minutes. Vitinha’s delivery was perfect for Neves, who headed it in to open the scoring. Neves doubled the lead in the 39th minute after Fabian Ruiz intercepted the ball from Sergio Busquets and set up a quick passing move.

 

In the 44th minute, Tomas Aviles accidentally turned a PSG cross into his own net, before Bradley Barcola set up Achraf Hakimi to make it 4-0 just before halftime. Messi attempted to counter with Miami’s first shot in the 51st minute but failed.

 

On the other hand, global football star Cristiano Ronaldo has turned down an offer to play in the Club World Cup. In a video message after signing a new two-year deal with Saudi club Al Nassr, Ronaldo said, “I had some offers to play in the Club World Cup, but I thought it didn’t make sense because it’s better for me to rest and prepare well.”

 

Ronaldo added, “My goal is to stay fully fit not only for Al Nassr but also for Portugal’s national team. That’s why I limited myself to the Nations League final match and did not pay attention to any other offers.”