Club World Cup: PSG Secure Bounce-Back Win Over Seattle Sounders

After losing on Matchday 2, PSG needed a bounce-back performance, and that’s what they got on their trip to the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The Parisians didn’t score in their 1-0 loss to Botafogo, and the Sounders had kept a clean sheet until the 35th minute when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring.

Seattle failed to properly clear a corner, sending the ball back into the middle, and Vitinha fired a shot that was ultimately deflected off the back of Kvaratskhelia. PSG took a one-goal lead to halftime, but the reigning UEFA Champions League winners added another goal in the second half.

Désiré Doué controlled the ball in the middle of the field and sent a beautiful through pass to Bradley Barcola. The winger faked a run down the flank and finally crossed to the far post for Achraf Hakimi, who controlled the ball and scored from close range.

Luis Enrique and his team secured a 2-0 win and also received help from Atlético de Madrid with their one-goal win over Botafogo. The Spanish side scored thanks to a goal from Antoine Griezmann in the 87th minute to take a one-goal lead over Botafogo. It was the goal that allowed PSG to overtake the Brazilian side and top the group.

After the victory, Hakimi spoke to DAZN to share his thoughts on the contest and PSG advancing.

“There are no easy matches, it’s the World Cup, and we know that every game we play will be tougher. We have to stay focused from start to finish. We showed our character and that we deserve to win.”

“We know it wasn’t easy to come here. There’s a lot of sun, the field was a bit dry. We worked well, but you feel the fatigue at the end of the season. But we’re ready. We will keep working hard, recovering well, and we want to keep going for what’s next.”

The Parisians will face a team from Group A in the next round of the Club World Cup, which includes Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, Palmeiras, FC Porto, and Al Ahly.

The Stat: 1

After their win over the Sounders and Botafogo losing to Atlético de Madrid, PSG finished in first place in a group stage of an international club competition for the first time since the 2020-21 season in the Champions League.

Photo credit: @PSG_English

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