At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Paris Saint-Germain continued their Club World Cup campaign. Facing Inter Miami in the round of 16, the Parisians played in a 4-3-3 formation with Donnarumma in goal and a "typical team," except for the benching of Ousmane Dembélé, who was still too weak to start as a starter. Opposite, Javier Mascherano's Herons played in a 4-4-2 formation with a Messi-Suarez duo up front. A tantalizing matchup that quickly became lively... Served on the left, Kvaratskhelia made a solo run, infiltrating the Florida defense before serving Barcola, but the latter was denied by Ustari (4').
Having entered the match perfectly, PSG finally opened the scoring in quick succession... From a free kick by Vitinha, Neves, forgotten at the far post, finished with a beautiful header to give his team the lead (1-0, 6th). With this ideal start, the capital club continued its campaign and came very close to breaking the deadlock. From another corner, Ruiz took advantage of a pass from Barcola to double the lead with a header but his effort was disallowed for an offside position at the start of the action (16th). Master of the debate, Paris shone again but neither Hakimi (20th) nor Vitinha (21st) managed to elude Ustari's vigilance.
PSG has rolled out!
In great pain, Inter Miami was only suffering. Found by Doué in retreat, Kvaratskhelia armed another curling shot but it narrowly missed the Herons' goal (23rd). On a great day, the Georgian once again undermined the Floridian defense before falling to an inspired Ustari (28th). At the half-hour mark, Ruiz was found by Hakimi and took advantage of a nice feint from Doué to try his luck but his left-footed shot also missed the target (30th). The Parisian waves multiplied but Nuno Mendes, found by Marquinhos behind the defense, still lacked success in his one-on-one with Ustari before being flagged offside (34th). An unchallenged domination by PSG (no shots for Inter Miami) which would finally be rewarded.
After a lot of pressure from Ruiz, Barcola found the Spanish midfielder who provided a pass to Neves for the second goal (2-0, 39th). With a brace, the former Benfica player even celebrated his team's third goal a few moments later. On a cross from Doué, Aviles beat his own goalkeeper (3-0, 44th) and the Herons' nightmare was not going to end there... In added time of the first half, Hakimi joined the party. Perfectly found by Vitinha behind the defense, Barcola broke away before serving the Moroccan back. In two attempts, the Parisian number 2 beat Ustari (4-0, 45+3rd) and allowed PSG to get closer than ever to the quarter-finals. After the break, Beraldo and Zaire-Emery replaced Marquinhos and Ruiz as Inter Miami tried to look threatening.
On a stroke of genius, Messi found Suarez behind Beraldo, but the Uruguayan striker miscontrolled the ball (49th). Pushing forward more, the Floridian franchise was unable to surprise the vigilant Parisian defense. Slightly pushed back, Paris finally regained control of the ball. Shortly before the hour mark, Doué tried his luck, but Ustari saved it (57th) before deflecting Barcola's shot (58th). Still as dominant as ever despite a more active Leo Messi (63rd, 80th, 89th), Dembélé's teammates, back in the competition for the final half-hour, calmly managed the end of this match to secure a large victory (4-0) without any dispute. Having qualified for the quarter-finals without a hitch, Paris Saint-Germain now awaits its next opponent, namely the winner of the match between Flamengo and Bayern Munich, this Sunday from 10 p.m.
Man of the Match: Joao Neves (8.5): In a radiant midfield, the former Benfica player was the man behind the result. Losing very little of the ball and always one step ahead of his opponents, the 20-year-old midfielder showed his class through numerous well-timed interventions. Showcasing his technical prowess with remarkable passing, the Parisian number 87 showed his great offensive determination this Sunday. A goal-scorer from the start with a diving header, he doubled the lead after a beautiful pass to finish into the empty net. A full performance for the Parisian midfielder who delighted this Sunday. Replaced by Ousmane Dembélé in the 62nd minute of play. For his big return, the Ballon d'Or favorite was hungry for the ball and made numerous differences in half an hour.
Paris Saint-Germain
- Donnarumma (6.5): One of the quietest matches of his season. Facing an uninspired Floridians, the Italian made his first intervention in the 64th minute of play on a Lionel Messi shot from a tight angle. Otherwise, the Italian was impeccable in his clearances while he was very little threatened by Inter's non-existent pressure.
- Hakimi (7.5): Valuable this season, Hakimi was once again very interesting this Sunday. With little defensive threat against Floridians who were inactive offensively, he had plenty of time to show off his technical and physical qualities in the offensive phase. A real poison for an underwater Jordi Alba, the Moroccan scored just before the break (45+3'). A full match for one of the most consistent players of the season for the Parisian side. Replaced by Kang-In Lee (73'), who did not have enough time to show himself.
- Pacho (7): Faced with the sole threat of Lionel Messi, the Ecuadorian didn't waver. Easily managing the Florida attacks, the former Eintracht Frankfurt player was brilliant defensively and his passing skills were very appreciable. A solid match.
- Marquinhos (7): facing a pre-retirement Luis Suárez, the Parisian captain could have played with his hands in his pockets to achieve the same result. A more than easy match for the Brazilian who did not have many dangerous actions to defuse. Replaced at half-time by Lucas Beraldo (46th, 6.5), who was just as calm as his elder.
- Mendes (7): Excellent during the last meeting with Portugal, the left defender had an easy match to manage this Sunday. Without difficulty, Mendes was imperial defensively and showed off his incredible athletic qualities on the other side of the field. Another very satisfactory match. Replaced by Lucas Hernandez, interesting from the moment he came on (70th).
- Neves (8.5): see above.
- Vitinha (8): He was the one who dictated the tempo of the match this Sunday. Technically brilliant, the Portuguese made himself very available and covered countless kilometers. Seeking to constantly advance the game, Vitinha gave his opponents a headache by winning several balls and always directing the game where he wanted. The former Porto player, who provided the decisive pass for Joao Neves' opening goal, showed off his great technical quality with numerous impressive passes. A rather exceptional match against, it must be said, ridiculous opponents.
- Ruiz (7.5): Like his season, the Spaniard was a delight this Sunday. A perfect complement to Vitinha and Joao Neves, the former Napoli player did everything he knew how to do. Very available, he touched the ball on numerous occasions and often did something good with it behind. Imperial in the duels, he won numerous balls by showing off his physical qualities. Not hesitating to throw himself forward at will, Ruiz was very intelligent when it came to offering Joao Neves a double in front of goal (39th). Replaced at half-time by Warren Zaïre-Emery (6.5), who had a serious match in his physicality and his stubbornness in the duels.
- Gifted (7): Always present in attack, the former Rennes player was rather discreet at first. Hardly found by his teammates, he quickly returned to his usual standards of unbalanced movements and well-felt arabesques. His good cross caused the Parisians' third goal on an own goal (44th). Unlucky in front of goal, the hero of the Champions League final was not decisive this evening and even lost a lot of balls, sometimes even stupidly. However, his ability to unbalance the woeful Inter Miami defense allowed his team to create numerous opportunities.
- Barcola (7): Present in the eleven in favor of a convalescent Dembélé, the player trained at OL was very interesting this Sunday. Faced with a calamitous defense, the number 29 of the Parisians used his game intelligence and his speed to unlock some situations. Despite a cruel lack of realism in front of goal, the winger was involved in several goals without being decisive like on Hakimi's fourth goal. In the second half, Barcola treated us to some classy moves without managing to score his first goal in the competition. A very satisfactory match for the Lyonnais.
- Kvaratskhelia (7.5): Faced with a desperate Floridian defense, the Georgian strolled. Author of a first ride in the 4th minute, the former Napoli player could have benefited from an assist for his caviar poorly exploited by Barcola (4th). Technically adept, the 24-year-old striker was constantly provocative but could have sometimes slipped in some well-judged balls instead of stubbornly dribbling. Generous in defense, he was one of the architects of his team's effective pressing. He was not decisive this Sunday even if his many inspirations could have hit the mark.
Inter Miami
- Ustari (3): It was predictable, but the Argentinian goalkeeper had a very difficult match. He was called into action from the kick-off: Barcola, served in the box, shot back with his left foot, but the last defender of the American team managed to deflect the ball with his toe (4th). A few moments later, he already saw a Parisian put the ball in the back of his net. João Neves placed a header that left him no chance (6th). Rather calm thereafter despite the ultra-dominance of the opposition, he was completely abandoned by his defense on Neves' goal (39th), before seeing his own defender score an own goal, almost immediately afterward (45th). On the fourth goal, he thought he had saved his team, but sent the ball directly to Hakimi, who calmly scored (45th + 3). In the second half, however, he made a great save after a sensational move from Barcola, who managed to find himself alone in front of him (58th).
- Weigandt (2.5): It was tough for the right-back. Up against an in-form Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the 25-year-old suffered enormously. Caught out of pace on numerous occasions, he was merely a presence against the Georgian, who enjoyed himself throughout the match. Offensively, he contributed nothing. He was given a yellow card (43rd).
- Falcon (2): a catastrophic performance. Almost always caught out by speed, he never seemed up to the challenge imposed by the Parisian attackers. Uncomfortable during each attack, he also displayed enormous nervousness when restarting, several times giving the ball directly to a red and blue player.
- Allen (unrated): he didn't have time to show much, except run after the ball, like all of his teammates. Repeated runs that got the better of his thigh, since he seemed to be the victim of a muscle tear at the start of the game. Replaced by Avilés (1.5), who had a nightmare match. Tossed around in all directions, he was even the author of the third Parisian goal by sending a cross from Doué into his own net (45th). Booked with a yellow card (20th).
- Alba (3): Although less in difficulty than Weigandt, the Spaniard did not have a pleasant match, far from it. Too soft when Doué and company faced him, he did not weigh heavily in preventing the Parisians from infiltrating the opposing defense. His offensive contribution was zero in the first half, while he attempted a few surges during the last forty-five minutes.
- Allende (3): One of the many Argentinians in this team, he didn't stand out any more than the others. Positioned in an attacking right midfield role, he never caused Nuno Mendes to tremble. His defensive efforts were more commendable, although they didn't prevent his team from conceding numerous goals.
- Busquets (2): Ninety minutes of suffering for the midfielder. He, whose goal is to set the pace, suffered that of the European champions throughout the match. Renowned for his ability to keep the ball in tight spaces, he offered the second goal to the Parisians on a plate, losing possession on the edge of his own penalty area (39th).
- Redondo (2): Lined up alongside Busquets in the centre, he did little better than his teammate. Completely overwhelmed in midfield, he never managed to get the ball out cleanly or initiate counter-attacks. He spent most of his time running around in the air.
- Segovia (2): Hakimi probably didn't feel the slightest shiver from his opposite number this Sunday. Harmless on his left side, he never managed to carry the ball into the opposing camp or unbalance the Parisian block with dribbles or well-found passes. Like the rest of his team, he had more the privilege of witnessing a Parisian demonstration for free than of playing in a round of 16. Replaced by Cremaschi (75th).
- Suárez (2.5): A ghostly performance from the former Barcelona player. Completely alone in attack, he did try to get back into his own half to get a touch of the ball, but it didn't lead to any interesting situations. Not a single opportunity to be had, except for this extraordinary pass from Messi, which he failed to capitalize on (49th). He was given a yellow card (74th).
- Messi (4): The Pulga was carried by the Mercedes-Benz Stadium every time he touched the ball, but it wasn't enough. Not at all. While he was the only Floridian to bring a bit of speed to his team's game, none of his teammates were able to exploit the few good balls he provided, or the spaces he created. He brought more danger in the second half, showing off his legendary dribbling skills, without managing to find the net. He could even have saved face at the end of the match, for once, with a header, but Donnarumma decided otherwise (80th).
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