Messi’s Inter Miami falls to PSG, exits Club World Cup

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    In a significant setback for Inter Miami, the reigning European champions knocked Lionel Messi’s team out of the Club World Cup on Sunday. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which recently clinched the Champions League title, successfully contained Messi and his squad in a decisive 4-0 victory at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This result came during the round of 16, marking an impressive show of strength from PSG.

    Inter Miami faced multiple defensive challenges, allowing all of PSG’s goals in the first half. A significant contributor to their struggles was an early injury to defender Noah Allen, which left gaps in the team’s defense. On a brighter note, goalkeeper Oscar Ustari continued to deliver an outstanding performance in net.

    In terms of attack, Messi and his teammates found themselves primarily confined to their own half during the first half. Despite a stronger performance in the second half, the team was heavily dependent on Messi to conjure a moment of inspiration that could turn the game in their favor.

    Remarkably, Inter Miami was the only team from Major League Soccer (MLS) to reach the knockout phase of this newly-expanded tournament. Their surprise 2-1 victory over FC Porto, a club thought to be the favorite, drew global attention. This historic win marked the first time an MLS team defeated a European club in an official competition.

    Reflecting on their tournament journey, Miami defender Jordi Alba expressed optimism. “I think we’ve performed at a high level,” he said. “This will help us gain confidence and know that we can compete against anyone if we’re at the level we have been at this Club World Cup.”

    Lionel Messi, with a consistently strong track record, exits the tournament with his reputation intact, having never faced elimination in the group stages of an official tournament, whether for a club or his national team.

    Despite the elimination, Inter Miami’s campaign at the tournament offered several optimistic signs as they pivot back to their MLS commitments. Apart from the win against Porto, they held Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras to a draw. Notably, Palmeiras advanced to the quarters, underscoring Miami’s strong group-stage performances.

    Miami is currently positioned sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-3-5, trailing by 11 points from the top-placed Philadelphia Union. Last season, Miami clinched the MLS Supporters’ Shield, celebrating the league’s finest regular-season record. The team is determined to build on their recent experiences as they return to domestic competition.