Paris Saint-Germain played their final group stage match in this Club World Cup, facing the Seattle Sounders . A crucial match for the Parisians, who absolutely had to win after the nasty 1-0 defeat a few days ago against Botafogo. Seattle, on the other hand, had lost their first two matches and were trying to exit this competition with a bang. Regarding the lineups, Luis Enrique opted for a 4-3-3. Donnarumma in goal, Marquinhos and Pacho formed the hinge, and Nuno Mendes and Hakimi were classic on the wings. No surprises in midfield, where Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Fabian Ruiz were featured. Finally, up front, Doué and Kvaratskelia flanked Mayulu. The Sounders used a 4-2-3-1 formation, with a few adjustments compared to the last match against Atletico. Kent and Ferreira started in attack, Alexander Roldan and Nouhou were the full-backs.
The match got off to a flying start for the Parisians. In the 12th minute, Hakimi cut back to Doué in the box. The Frenchman controlled the ball with his right foot, but his powerful shot was deflected wide by Frei. Always motivated, PSG dominated the proceedings. In the 19th minute, Donnarumma took a huge risk by losing possession. Ferreira took advantage and found himself in front of an empty net, but his shot missed the target, much to PSG's relief. In the 35th minute, from a poorly cleared corner on the right side, the ball drifted into the middle. Vitinha shot with his right foot, and his attempt was deflected victoriously off the back by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to open the scoring (0-1). Timid at the start of the match, the Parisians then pushed forward and successfully opened the scoring. A rather lackluster first half from a technical point of view, where everything remained possible and conceivable in this match.
Hakimi makes the break!
PSG literally took possession of the ball away from their opponents at the start of the second half. However, they lacked the cutting edge in the final thirty meters to capitalize on this dominance and score the second-half goal (53rd minute). Three minutes later, Paris came close to making it 2-0. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made the difference on his left flank before crossing to the far post. Doué controlled, beat a defender, and fired a left-footed shot, but Tolo miraculously saved off his line (56th minute). PSG continued to undermine the opposing block, but their lack of pace made the pace monotonous. In the 60th minute, Hakimi sent in a dipping cross from the right, which João Neves picked up with his left, but the shot unfortunately missed the target. The Sounders have been completely stifled since the restart. Unable to get the ball out cleanly, they didn't even cross the halfway line in the second half, under constant pressure from the Parisians.
In the 66th minute, this dominance was logically rewarded. On a quick ball recovery, Doué perfectly shifted the ball to Barcola on the left. The winger advanced before cleverly switching play to Hakimi, who was found in the box on the right. The Moroccan full-back took the time to control the ball before unleashing a powerful shot that beat Frei and doubled PSG's lead (0-2). Paris continued to control their play at the end of the match, moving the ball with ease across the entire width of the pitch. Everything was going perfectly for the recent Champions League winners, calm and in total control. In the 85th minute, the Parisians almost scored a third goal. Barcola's precise cross from the left was met with Warren Zaïre-Emery's left foot from the penalty spot. But once again, Tolo made an exceptional save off his line, making a spectacular and decisive save to prevent a heavier score for the Sounders. PSG finished in first place in their group ahead of Botafogo and thus secured their place in the round of 16.
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