French Giants Dominate 4-0 as Inter Miami’s Dream Run Meets Harsh Reality
The chants of “Messi! Messi!” echoed through Mercedes-Benz Stadium long before kickoff, as 65,574 fans packed the stands for a blockbuster Club World Cup clash between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and his former club, Paris Saint-Germain. But by halftime, the cheers had faded—replaced by stunned silence as PSG dismantled the MLS side in a brutal 4-0 defeat.
The match was billed as a reunion: Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets facing their old European champions, now led by former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique. Yet any hopes of a fairytale upset vanished within minutes. PSG, fresh off a 5-0 Champions League final win, flexed their superiority with ruthless efficiency, scoring all four goals before the break.
A First-Half Avalanche
João Neves opened the floodgates just six minutes in, nodding in a free kick unmarked—a defensive lapse Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano called “too easy.” Neves struck again in the 39th minute, followed by a Toto Avilés own goal and a clinical finish from Achraf Hakimi in stoppage time. Messi, shackled by PSG’s relentless press, managed just 14 touches in the first half, his frustration visible on the stadium’s giant screens.
“Reality set in,” admitted Mascherano post-match. “When you concede early to a team like PSG, it becomes an avalanche.”
Pride in the Pain
To their credit, Miami regrouped after the break, creating chances through Messi and Suárez, but the damage was done. PSG, content with their lead, eased off, allowing Miami fleeting moments of dignity. “The second half showed who we really are,” Mascherano said, vowing to use the humbling experience as fuel for their MLS campaign.
Dreams and Disparity
Before kickoff, Inter Miami’s owners had embraced the occasion as a milestone. “Freedom to Dream is on our jersey,” co-owner Jorge Mas told DAZN, reflecting on the club’s rapid rise. Even David Beckham, arm in a sling, voiced optimism: “Anything is possible.”
But by full-time, the gulf in class was undeniable. As PSG advances to face Bayern Munich or Flamengo, Miami turns its focus to MLS—where dreams, however bruised, must now translate into results.
Key Details:
- PSG Scorers: Neves (6’, 39’), Avilés (OG, 44’), Hakimi (45+1’)
- Possession: PSG 73% (first half)
- Next for Miami: MLS clash vs. CF Montréal on Saturday.
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