Inter Miami Exits Club World Cup After Defeat by PSG

ATLANTA – On Sunday, Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi, was eliminated from the Club World Cup by European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG, a team that Messi previously played for and recently clinched the Champions League title, decisively beat Miami 4-0 in the round of 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Once again, Miami struggled defensively, conceding all four goals before halftime. Early injuries, particularly to defender Noah Allen, exacerbated the team’s challenges, although goalkeeper Oscar Ustali continued to perform well.

In attack, Messi and the forwards largely found themselves isolated during the first half. Despite an improved performance in the second half, the team seemed somewhat reliant on Messi’s exceptional skills.

Interestingly, Miami was the only Major League Soccer team to advance to the knockout stage of this expanded tournament. The team had previously secured a 2-1 victory over Portuguese side FC Porto, making history as the first MLS club to defeat a European team in an official tournament.

“I think we played on a high level,” stated Miami defender Jordi Alba. “This helps you gain confidence and know that you can compete with anyone if you’re at the level you’ve shown in this Club World Cup.”

Messi wrapped up the tournament having progressed perfectly through the group stage, an impressive feat as Argentina has never been eliminated during group stages, whether representing a club or the national team.

Despite the loss on Sunday, Miami’s overall performance in the tournament was encouraging, particularly as they prepare to return to the MLS season. Alongside their victory over Porto, they also drew the attention of Brazilian club Palmeiras, another team that advanced to the quarterfinals.

Miami currently stands sixth in the Eastern Conference with an 8-3-5 record, trailing the Philadelphia Union by 11 points. Last season, they claimed the MLS Supporters Shield, recognizing the league’s best regular season performance.