SEATTLE, Washington — June 24, 2025 — Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Monday, concluding Group B play at Lumen Field. The win propelled the French champions to the top of the group, while the Sounders exited the tournament without a point.
PSG, needing a win to guarantee advancement after a surprising 1-0 loss to Botafogo in their previous match, took control early. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring in the 35th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to put the visitors ahead. Achraf Hakimi doubled the lead in the 66th minute, finishing off a swift counterattack to seal the result.
The Sounders, entering the match with slim hopes of progression, required a three-goal victory and a favorable outcome in the Botafogo vs. Atlético Madrid match. However, they struggled to create clear-cut chances against PSG’s disciplined defense and failed to register a shot on target throughout the match.
Despite the loss, Seattle head coach Brian Schmetzer found positives in his team’s performance. “We faced a world-class opponent and held our own for stretches,” Schmetzer said post-match. “This experience will serve us well as we continue to grow and compete on the international stage.”
PSG’s victory, combined with Botafogo’s 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid, resulted in a three-way tie atop Group B, with each team finishing on six points. Goal differential determined the standings, with PSG advancing as group winners, Botafogo as runners-up, and Atlético Madrid eliminated.
The match also highlighted the challenges posed by the tournament’s summer scheduling. Temperatures soared during the afternoon kickoff, prompting concerns from players about playing conditions. “The heat and dry pitch made it difficult to play our usual style,” Hakimi noted. “It’s something that needs to be addressed for future tournaments.”
For the Sounders, the tournament marked their debut in the expanded 32-team Club World Cup format. While the results were disappointing, the experience provided valuable lessons. “Competing against teams like PSG shows us where we need to improve,” said midfielder Cristian Roldan. “We’ll take these lessons back to our league play and aim to return stronger.”
PSG now turns their attention to the Round of 16, where they will face the runner-up from Group A. The knockout stages are set to begin later this week, with matches streamed live on DAZN.
