PSG Dominates Seattle Sounders 2-0 to Secure Top Spot in Club World Cup Group
Paris Saint-Germain may have required some fortune to break the deadlock, but their victory was never truly threatened in their FIFA Club World Cup Group B concluding match against Seattle Sounders on Monday.
Following a 1–0 defeat to Brazil's Botafogo in their previous group encounter, the UEFA Champions League champions recovered impressively against the MLS team at Lumen Field in Seattle, securing a 2–0 triumph with strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi in what was otherwise a commanding display.
Though the Sounders competed well throughout large portions of the contest, PSG controlled the ball with 72 percent possession, restricting the Sounders to zero shots on target while managing seven of their own, alongside 2.12 expected goals.
Kvaratskhelia's opening strike arrived with some good fortune for the French side, however. During the second phase of a corner kick situation, Vitinha struck the ball toward goal, only for it to ricochet off the Georgian midfielder's back and beyond Sounders keeper Stefan Frei in the 35th minute.
Despite the Sounders making adjustments and attempting a late rally, PSG capitalized on a counter-attacking opportunity in the 67th minute, threading a long pass beyond Seattle's Jackson Ragen for Bradley Barcola to chase down and provide Hakimi with an easy finish.
Through this victory, PSG conclude the group stage with six points following triumphs over Atlético Madrid and Seattle, securing first place in their group. They now focus on the knockout rounds, where either Palmeiras, Inter Miami, FC Porto or Al Ahly will be their next challenge.
Certainly, many supporters will be hoping their next adversary is Inter Miami for a potential reunion with former PSG legend Lionel Messi.
Below are the player evaluations from PSG's recovery victory.
PSG Player Ratings vs. Seattle Sounders (4-3-3)
Player ratings provided by FotMob
Players | Ratings (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma | 6.7 |
LB: Nuno Mendes | 7.7 |
CB: Willian Pacho | 8.0 |
CB: Marquinhos | 7.3 |
RB: Achraf Hakimi | 8.7 |
LM: Fabián Ruiz | 7.1 |
CM: Vitinha | 7.6 |
RM: Joao Neves | 6.7 |
LW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | 7.7 |
ST: Senny Mayulu | 6.5 |
RW: Désiré Doué | 8.2 |
SUB: Warren Zaire-Emery (63' for Neves) | 6.6 |
SUB: Bradley Barcola (63' for Kvaratskhelia) | 7.1 |
SUB: Goncalo Ramos (77' for Mayulu) | 6.4 |
SUB: Ibrahim Mbaye (83' for Doué) | N/A |
Seattle Sounders Player Ratings vs. PSG (4-2-3-1)
Player ratings provided by FotMob
Players | Ratings (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Stefan Frei | 5.6 |
LB: Nouhou | 7.0 |
CB: Jon Bell | 6.7 |
CB: Jackson Ragen | 6.6 |
RB: Alex Roldan | 6.7 |
CDM: Obed Vargas | 6.3 |
CDM: Christian Roldan | 6.7 |
RM: Paul Rothrock | 6.1 |
CM: Albert Rusnák | 6.9 |
LM: Ryan Kent | 6.5 |
ST: Jesus Ferreira | 6.1 |
SUB: Danny Musovski (57' for Ferreira) | 6.1 |
SUB: Kalani Rienzi (57' for Kent) | 6.2 |
SUB: Georgi Minoungou (71' for Bell) | 6.6 |
SUB: Danny Leyva (71' for Rusnák) | 6.3 |
SUB: Jordan Morris (87' for Vargas) | N/A |