PSG secured their place in the knockout stages of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a professional 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders, bouncing back from their shock defeat to Botafogo in the previous round.
The win was enough to see the European champions advance, with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi sealing the deal in a match that tested the Sounders’ discipline and PSG’s patience.
The first half saw PSG dominate possession and dictate the pace, as Luis Enrique’s side sought to stamp their authority early. Yet for all their control, the French champions struggled to break down a compact and hard-working Seattle backline. Stefan Frei, the veteran goalkeeper for the Sounders, was quickly called into action and delivered a series of impressive saves.
His best moment came when Désiré Doué, one of PSG’s most exciting young players, unleashed a curling effort destined for the top corner. Frei leapt acrobatically to tip it away, keeping his side in the game and frustrating the Parisians.
However, the Sounders’ resistance was broken in the 36th minute — and in unlucky fashion. After a scramble in the box, Vitinha took a speculative shot that was going well off target, only for the ball to ricochet off teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and deflect into the net. It was a cruel twist for Seattle, but PSG’s pressure finally paid off.
A win to finish off the group stage for @PSG_inside!#FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/0ZxrPf0ZRp
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 23, 2025
Despite the lead, PSG’s performance wasn’t without nervous moments. In the first 20 minutes, Gianluigi Donnarumma nearly gifted Seattle an opener. Attempting to play out from the back, the Italian goalkeeper misfired a short pass under pressure, sending it straight into the path of Seattle striker Jesús Ferreira. With Donnarumma out of position, Ferreira had a chance to lob the keeper but sent his effort high and wide from a difficult angle.
That miss would prove costly, as it was Seattle’s best opportunity of the match. While they fought valiantly, the MLS side never truly tested Donnarumma again in the same way.
In the second half, PSG continued their control, but a narrow one-goal lead kept tension in the air. After their earlier loss to Botafogo, nothing less than a win would guarantee progression, and for a brief period, Seattle threatened to spoil their night with quick counters and energy in midfield.
But any lingering nerves were put to rest in the 71st minute. It was a textbook PSG counterattack — a rare Seattle push forward broke down, and PSG quickly transitioned. Désiré Doué found space in midfield and slipped the ball to substitute Bradley Barcola. With time to pick his pass, Barcola whipped in a low cross to the edge of the six-yard box, where Achraf Hakimi arrived in stride to side-foot home.
It was a beautifully worked goal, simple yet devastating in execution, and it gave PSG the breathing room they had been searching for all match. From there, the result never looked in doubt.
Hakimi’s goal capped a strong performance for the Moroccan defender, who was active on both ends of the pitch. His pace and movement gave the Sounders problems all game, and his goal was a just reward for his tireless running.
The Sounders tried to rally in the final minutes, and almost found a consolation goal through Cristian Roldan, whose long-range shot in stoppage time narrowly missed the post. It would have given the home fans something to cheer, but in the end, Seattle’s tournament ended without a point in the group stage.
Still, the MLS side can hold their heads high. They pushed the Champions League holders for long stretches and displayed discipline, structure, and work ethic in every match. Unfortunately, the gulf in finishing quality and depth proved too much in the end.
For PSG, the win brings relief and momentum. After a shaky start to the tournament, the result against Seattle resets the tone for Luis Enrique’s men heading into the Round of 16. While the goals didn’t come easily, the performance was composed, and the attacking combinations looked sharper as the match progressed.
@PSG_inside will face @InterMiamiCF in the #FIFACWC Round of 16 at Mercedes Benz Stadium!
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 24, 2025
With Donnarumma, Vitinha, Hakimi, and the young duo of Doué and Barcola growing in influence, PSG will now turn their attention to the next stage, where tougher opponents await and expectations will rise.
Though not the most dominant scoreline, the result was controlled, composed, and exactly what PSG needed to continue their Club World Cup journey — a journey they still believe can end in glory.
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