Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Monday, comfortably dispatching Seattle Sounders 2-0 thanks to goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi.
The reigning European champions, who were eager to bounce back following a surprise 1-0 defeat to Botafogo in their previous Group B match, proved too strong for the Major League Soccer outfit, despite rarely hitting top gear.
Kvaratskhelia broke the deadlock in the 35th minute in front of a 50,628-strong crowd at Seattle’s Lumen Field, diverting a wayward effort from Vitinha into the net. Hakimi then settled the contest midway through the second half, ensuring there would be no way back for the hosts.
PSG’s victory saw them finish top of Group B on goal difference after Botafogo suffered a late defeat to Atletico Madrid in Pasadena. The French champions will now head east for a knockout tie against the Group A runners-up in Atlanta on Sunday.
Despite his frustrations with the conditions, Enrique also praised Seattle’s display. “It was a great match, difficult for us from the start because Seattle played with great intensity and quality both with and without the ball,” he added.
Luis Enrique made four changes to his side following the defeat to Botafogo, bringing in captain Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz, and João Neves. However, top scorer Ousmane Dembele, who netted 33 times last season, was once again absent due to injury, missing his third consecutive game at the tournament.
Seattle faced an uphill battle from the outset, needing a convincing win coupled with an Atletico Madrid defeat to advance—a highly improbable scenario for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League winners.
While PSG largely controlled proceedings, the hosts did have their moments. Desire Doue went close early with a fierce strike that forced Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei into action.
A rare error from Gianluigi Donnarumma then handed Jesus Ferreira a chance, but the striker failed to capitalise, firing wide.
The breakthrough came 10 minutes before halftime. Vitinha’s shot from the edge of the area was heading wide before taking a fortunate deflection off Kvaratskhelia’s back and finding the net.
PSG doubled their advantage on 66 minutes when Doue’s precise pass released Bradley Barcola down the left. The substitute cut inside and teed up Hakimi, who calmly controlled before slotting home his 10th goal of the season.
