Reigning UEFA Champions League holders, Paris Saint-Germain, are through to the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16, bouncing back from defeat to Botafogo with a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders in their final match of the group stage in the United States.
Both teams needed a win to reach the last 16, with Sounders, who needed to win by three or more goals, making a bright start to the match in front of home fans at the Lumen Field in Seattle on Monday.
The Major League Soccer side were able to get two corner-kicks early in the game, with Obed Vargas smashing a volley wide off the first corner, before PSG captain, Marquinhos, made a headed clearance from the second corner.
The French side heeded to the warning signs and nearly went ahead in the 12th minute when Desire Doue’s shot from the right side of the box was on target but Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei managed to turn it over the crossbar.
PSG broke through in the 35th minute moments after the ball was cleared following a corner but fell to a wide open Vitinha on the edge of the box. Vitinha’s strike was headed off target but bounced off Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s back and into the Seattle goal.
The European champions doubled their lead in the 66th minute after substitute Bradley Barcola drove into the area and, after an over-commitment by five Seattle players, spotted a wide open Hakimi who easily finished into the back of the net.
PSG’s win, coupled with Atletico Madrid’s win over Botafogo, means the Ligue 1 side finish top of Group B with six points, ahead of Botafogo and Atletico Madrid on goal difference, while Seattle Sounders exit the competition without a point.