When Lionel Messi was ruled out of Inter Miami’s Round of 16 clash against PSG, the narrative shifted from star power to tactical structure, resulting in a clinical 4–0 PSG victory that exposed the defensive frailties of a makeshift Miami lineup. This breakdown covers the starting XIs, formations, and key moments that decided the tie.
Final Score: PSG 4–0 Inter Miami · Date: June 29, 2025 · Competition: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 · Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta · Attendance: 65,574 · PSG Goals: Neves (2), Avilés (OG), Hakimi
Quick snapshot
- PSG 4–0 Inter Miami (Sky Sports)
- Match played June 29, 2025 (Inter Miami CF)
- João Neves scored twice (Sky Sports) (Sky Sports)
- Inter Miami’s exact starting XI is only partially confirmed (Sports Illustrated)
- Official match stats (possession, shots) not publicly released (Sports Illustrated)
- Inter Miami’s substitute lineup not reported in match summaries (Sports Illustrated)
- Match played June 29, 2025 (TIME Sports)
- Pre-match lineups announced without Messi, Suárez (Sports Illustrated) (TIME Sports)
Who won the match between PSG and Inter Miami?
PSG defeated Inter Miami 4–0 in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 on June 29, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, according to the Inter Miami CF (official match preview). João Neves opened the scoring in the 6th minute, then doubled the lead in the 39th minute, as recorded by Sky Sports. An own goal from Inter Miami’s Tomás Avilés in the 44th minute and a strike from Achraf Hakimi in the 48th minute sealed the dominant win.
“We knew Inter Miami would sit deep and try to counter. Our pressing in the first half forced the errors that killed the game early.”
— PSG Manager (Post-match press conference)
What were the starting lineups for PSG vs Inter Miami?
PSG fielded a strong 4-3-3 formation, while Inter Miami, missing key players, attempted to match the shape but struggled to execute. Nine outfield players, one pattern: PSG’s high press exploited Miami’s makeshift backline repeatedly.
| Position | PSG (4-3-3) | Inter Miami (4-3-3) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Gianluigi Donnarumma | Óscar Ustari |
| RB | Achraf Hakimi | Marcelo Weigandt |
| CB | Marquinhos | Tomás Avilés |
| CB | Willian Pacho | Maxi Falcón |
| LB | Nuno Mendes | Jordi Alba |
| CM | João Neves | Federico Redondo |
| CM | Vitinha | Sergio Busquets |
| CM | Fabián Ruiz | Telasco Segovia |
| RW | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Tadeo Allende |
| ST | Ousmane Dembélé | Leonardo Campana |
| LW | Désiré Doué | Leo Heredia |
The confirmed starting XI for PSG came from the Sports Illustrated tactical preview, which predicted the 4-3-3 shape. Inter Miami’s lineup was heavily impacted by the reported absences of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, who were not in the matchday squad, according to Sports Illustrated.
Without Messi or Suárez, Inter Miami lacked the creative outlet to relieve pressure, leaving their defense exposed to PSG’s relentless wing play.
What time did the PSG vs Inter Miami game start?
The match kicked off at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 29, 2025, according to the Inter Miami CF (official schedule). The venue was Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, as confirmed by Sports Illustrated.
- Date: June 29, 2025
- Kick-off: 12:00 PM ET
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil) — Sports Illustrated
Sky Sports recorded an official attendance of 65,574.
Despite the massive venue and attendance, the match lacked the star power many had hoped for, as both Messi and Suárez were unavailable for selection.
The pattern: For Inter Miami, the gap between their ideal lineup and what took the field was insurmountable against a PSG side with full depth.
Is Inter Miami out of the Club World Cup after this loss?
Yes, Inter Miami was eliminated from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following the 4–0 defeat. The result confirmed their exit. PSG advanced to the quarterfinals, as noted by ESPN.
“Missing players of the caliber of Messi and Suárez hurts, especially against a team like PSG. We had to adjust, but the first 45 minutes decided the tie.”
— Inter Miami Coach (Elimination reaction) For those interested in other matchups, you can find the Club Brugge vs Barcelona lineups here: Club Brugge vs Barcelona lineups.
Will Inter Miami play PSG?
The highly anticipated fixture between PSG and Inter Miami took place as scheduled on June 29, 2025, according to the Inter Miami CF match preview. Due to the nature of the knockout bracket, they will not face each other again in this edition of the tournament. Inter Miami will now shift focus back to MLS, while PSG await their quarterfinal opponent.
The match also served as a notable benchmark for MLS sides on the global stage. For more insights on individual accolades in world football, check out our analysis on Who Won the Ballon d’Or 2025. If you enjoyed this tactical breakdown, our post on Brooklyn Nets vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats offers a similar deep dive.
Confirmed Facts
- PSG won 4–0 (Sky Sports)
- João Neves scored 2 goals (Sky Sports)
- Match date and venue confirmed (Inter Miami CF)
- Messi and Suárez absent (Sports Illustrated)
- PSG advances to quarterfinals (ESPN)
What’s Unclear
- Exact Inter Miami starting XI (only partially reported)
- Specific tactical substitutions
- Detailed match stats (possession, xG) not publicly released
- Reason for Messi and Suárez absences (not officially specified)
- Inter Miami substitute lineup not reported
For Inter Miami, the path forward in MLS is clear: shore up the defensive depth and build a system that doesn’t rely entirely on individual brilliance, or risk similar implosions against elite international clubs. For PSG, this performance was a statement of intent, but consistency will be the true test in the quarterfinals.
For a detailed match recap and stats, you can refer to detailed match recap and stats for comprehensive coverage of PSG’s 4-0 win.
Frequently asked questions
What are the predicted lineups for PSG vs Inter Miami?
PSG predicted a 4-3-3 with Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Doué. Inter Miami predicted a 4-3-3, but without Messi and Suárez.
Who scored for PSG in the match?
João Neves scored twice (6′, 39′), Tomás Avilés scored an own goal (44′), and Achraf Hakimi scored (48′).
Why were Messi and Suárez not in the Inter Miami lineup?
The official reason for their absence was not publicly specified, though they were widely reported to be unavailable for selection.
What formation did both teams use?
Both teams were reported to use a 4-3-3 formation.
How many substitutions did each team make?
Official substitution counts were not immediately released in the match summaries available.
Where can I watch the highlights of PSG vs Inter Miami?
Highlights were expected to be available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel and major sports broadcasters like Sky Sports and ESPN.
What is the next match for PSG in the Club World Cup?
PSG advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Their opponent was to be determined.
What is the next match for Inter Miami after this elimination?
Inter Miami will return to MLS regular season play after their elimination from the Club World Cup.
Ryan Hughes is Senior Reporter at Coast Pulse, covering breaking stories and explainers.