APParis Saint-Germain (PSG) sealed top spot in Group B and advanced to the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-0 win over hosts Seattle Sounders on Monday.
After a shock loss to Botafogo in their previous outing, the Ligue 1 champions rebounded in style, scoring in both halves through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi.
The result, combined with Atletico Madrid's narrow 1-0 win over Botafogo, saw PSG finish the group stage with six points from three matches.
The victory sets up a pre-quarterfinal clash against the Group A runners-up on Sunday in Atlanta. Botafogo, who finished second in Group B, will take on the Group A winner on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Seattle exit the competition without a win, despite playing all three group matches at home.
Seattle started brightly and applied early pressure, pinning PSG deep and creating a couple of opportunities from corner kicks. Obed Vargas volleyed wide from one chance, while Marquinhos cleared another set-piece threat.
However, PSG grew into the match and nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Desire Doue’s close-range strike was tipped over by Seattle keeper Stefan Frei.
The breakthrough came in the 35th minute in unconventional fashion. After a corner was only partially cleared, Vitinha fired a shot from distance that deflected off Kvaratskhelia's back and wrong-footed Frei, giving the visitors the lead.
Seattle struggled to replicate their early momentum in the second half, and PSG’s dominance grew. They were nearly rewarded again in the 60th minute when Hakimi’s cross found Neves at the far post, but the midfielder’s effort missed narrowly.
Six minutes later, PSG struck again. Substitute Bradley Barcola drove into the box, drawing in five defenders before unselfishly squaring for Hakimi, who calmly slotted home to make it 2-0.
The result capped a composed and clinical performance from PSG, who now turn their focus to the knockout rounds with hopes of lifting their first Club World Cup title.
After a shock loss to Botafogo in their previous outing, the Ligue 1 champions rebounded in style, scoring in both halves through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi.
The result, combined with Atletico Madrid's narrow 1-0 win over Botafogo, saw PSG finish the group stage with six points from three matches.
The victory sets up a pre-quarterfinal clash against the Group A runners-up on Sunday in Atlanta. Botafogo, who finished second in Group B, will take on the Group A winner on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Seattle exit the competition without a win, despite playing all three group matches at home.
Seattle started brightly and applied early pressure, pinning PSG deep and creating a couple of opportunities from corner kicks. Obed Vargas volleyed wide from one chance, while Marquinhos cleared another set-piece threat.
However, PSG grew into the match and nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Desire Doue’s close-range strike was tipped over by Seattle keeper Stefan Frei.
The breakthrough came in the 35th minute in unconventional fashion. After a corner was only partially cleared, Vitinha fired a shot from distance that deflected off Kvaratskhelia's back and wrong-footed Frei, giving the visitors the lead.
Seattle struggled to replicate their early momentum in the second half, and PSG’s dominance grew. They were nearly rewarded again in the 60th minute when Hakimi’s cross found Neves at the far post, but the midfielder’s effort missed narrowly.
Six minutes later, PSG struck again. Substitute Bradley Barcola drove into the box, drawing in five defenders before unselfishly squaring for Hakimi, who calmly slotted home to make it 2-0.
The result capped a composed and clinical performance from PSG, who now turn their focus to the knockout rounds with hopes of lifting their first Club World Cup title.
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