PSG Power Past Sounders 2-0 | 2025 Club World Cup Highlights
Seattle Sounders vs PSG
European champions Paris Saint-Germain secured their advancement to the knockout stage of the Club World Cup from Group B with a commanding 2-0 victory over hosts Seattle Sounders FC on Monday at Lumen Field. The Ligue 1 giants, reeling from a surprising defeat to Botafogo in their previous match, knew that a win against the MLS side would guarantee their place in the last 16. Goals in each half from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi ensured that PSG not only progressed but also clinched the top spot in their group, setting the stage for their next challenge in Atlanta. The match showcased PSG’s resilience and adaptability on a foreign pitch, as they navigated early pressure from Seattle and capitalized on key moments to assert their dominance. Despite the hosts’ spirited start, PSG’s superior quality and tactical discipline ultimately prevailed, marking a significant step in their Club World Cup campaign.
The victory was critical for PSG, who had stumbled unexpectedly against Botafogo on Friday, a result that had raised questions about their form in this expanded global tournament. The loss to the Brazilian side had put PSG in a precarious position, needing a win to secure their knockout stage berth without relying on other results. Fortunately for the Parisian club, their performance against Seattle was a return to form, with clinical finishing and moments of brilliance from their star-studded squad. Coupled with Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win over Botafogo in the other Group B fixture, PSG’s six points from three matches were enough to see them finish first in the group. This outcome sets up an intriguing knockout stage clash against the Group A runners-up on Sunday in Atlanta, while Botafogo, relegated to second in the group, will face the Group A winners in Philadelphia on Saturday. The result was a testament to PSG’s ability to regroup under pressure, with their depth and attacking prowess proving decisive against a Seattle side that struggled to convert their early energy into meaningful opportunities.
The match began with an electrifying atmosphere, as the home crowd at Lumen Field rallied behind the Seattle Sounders, who knew they faced a monumental task. To have any chance of progressing, Seattle needed to defeat PSG by a margin of three goals or more—a tall order against one of Europe’s elite clubs. The MLS side came out with palpable intensity, pinning PSG in their defensive third during the opening minutes. Seattle’s aggressive start was epitomized by their work on set pieces, as they earned two early corner kicks that briefly threatened the PSG defense. On the first corner, the ball fell to Obed Vargas just outside the penalty area, but his ambitious volley sailed well wide of the target, failing to test PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The second corner saw PSG’s Marquinhos rise above the fray to head the ball clear, neutralizing the danger. Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer praised his team’s opening salvo, noting, “It was a good start. We knew we were going to have to come out and be ready for the best league team in Europe, so our guys came out into the game fired up.” However, despite their early promise, Seattle’s inability to convert these moments into goals foreshadowed the challenges they would face against a side of PSG’s caliber.
PSG weathered the early storm and gradually asserted control, showcasing the technical quality and composure that have made them a powerhouse in European football. In the 12th minute, they nearly opened the scoring when Désiré Doué, the young French winger, unleashed a powerful shot from the right side of the box. The effort was on target, forcing Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei to make an acrobatic save, tipping the ball over the crossbar to keep the score level. This moment marked a turning point, as PSG began to dominate possession and probe for openings in Seattle’s defense. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute, following a corner kick that Seattle initially cleared. The ball fell to Vitinha on the edge of the box, and his speculative strike took a fortuitous deflection off Kvaratskhelia’s back, wrong-footing Frei and nestling into the net. The goal, while somewhat lucky, highlighted PSG’s ability to capitalize on even the smallest opportunities, a hallmark of their success under manager Luis Enrique. Kvaratskhelia, who had been relatively quiet until that point, was credited with the goal, giving PSG a crucial lead heading into halftime.
The second half saw PSG maintain their momentum, while Seattle’s early energy appeared to wane. The Sounders, perhaps fatigued by their high-pressing start, struggled to regain the initiative, allowing PSG to dictate the tempo. In the 60th minute, PSG came close to doubling their lead when Achraf Hakimi delivered a pinpoint cross to the far post, where João Neves stretched to make contact but could only direct the ball wide. Neves, who was a standout in midfield, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It’s a happy day. It feels good. We are going to Atlanta. We will try to put our idea into the game no matter what team we are playing against.” His comments reflected the confidence within the PSG squad, as they prepared for the next stage of the competition. The decisive moment came in the 66th minute, when substitute Bradley Barcola injected fresh energy into PSG’s attack. Barcola drove into the penalty area, drawing the attention of five Seattle defenders, whose over-commitment left Hakimi unmarked. Barcola calmly picked out his teammate, and Hakimi slotted the ball into the net with ease, doubling PSG’s lead and effectively sealing the match.
Seattle’s inability to respond highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides. While the Sounders had shown flashes of promise, particularly in the opening minutes, they lacked the precision and firepower to trouble PSG’s well-organized defense. PSG’s backline, marshaled by Marquinhos, remained resolute, while their counter-attacking prowess kept Seattle on edge. Luis Enrique, reflecting on the match, acknowledged the challenges posed by the unfamiliar conditions but praised his team’s adaptability. “We managed to succeed in winning this match, I am happy,” he said. “Of course, there’s a few things to fine-tune, but it is not easy to play on this type of pitch. It’s very different to European pitches. The grass is different, and therefore it is not so easy to have the same smoothness to play our style of play, but we did adapt well.” Enrique’s comments underscored the difficulties of playing on a surface less suited to PSG’s fluid, possession-based style, yet their ability to adjust and execute their game plan was a testament to their professionalism and depth.
As the final whistle blew, PSG’s players and staff celebrated a hard-fought victory that restored their confidence after the Botafogo setback. The result not only secured their place in the knockout rounds but also sent a message to their rivals that they remained a formidable force in the competition. For Seattle, the defeat marked the end of a disappointing Club World Cup campaign, as they exited the tournament winless after three matches on home soil. The Sounders’ fans, who had hoped to see their team pull off a historic upset, were left to rue missed opportunities and the harsh reality of competing against a club with PSG’s resources and talent. As PSG look ahead to their knockout stage clash in Atlanta, they carry with them the momentum of this victory and the belief that they can go deep in the tournament. With players like Kvaratskhelia, Hakimi, and Neves leading the way, and under the guidance of a tactically astute manager in Luis Enrique, PSG are well-positioned to continue their pursuit of global glory. For now, the focus shifts to Atlanta, where they will face a new challenge and an opportunity to further cement their status as one of the world’s elite clubs.
