If anything is likely to bring the Club World Cup to life, it’s this. Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw with Palmeiras earlier in the week means Lionel Messi will take on one of his former clubs, Paris Saint-Germain, in the last 16.

Miami have been excellent in the tournament thus far and, were it not for two goals conceded in the last ten minutes on their last outing, would have topped the group and avoided this clash with PSG. Despite this, they still became the first MLS side to avoid defeat against CONMEBOL opposition since all the way back in 2005 (Los Angeles FC matched this with a draw against Flamengo a day later).

Miami were not expected to progress from a group containing Palmeiras, Porto and Egyptian champions Al Ahly. However, they have come through the group stage undefeated and were within a whisker of topping the table. PSG, however, will be the sternest test they’ve faced so far.

PSG won the UEFA Champions League final with a resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan and they will be hoping for a similar result against another Inter. In truth, the French giants were the best team in Europe last season and worthy winners of the ultimate prize in their very first Champions League final.

This tournament feels somewhat after the lord mayor’s show for the French side. They suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Botafogo before recovering enough to top their group. This is the most enjoyable PSG team in decades, comprised as it is of impressive young talent as opposed to star names imported for big money.

Inter Miami vs PSG odds

Time: Sunday, 5 p.m. BST (noon ET)

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Prediction

PSG 4, Inter Miami 1

Miami have been magnificent thus far at the Club World Cup and have surprised many with their performances. The likes of Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are genuine greats of the game who have helped take soccer in America to a new level ahead of the World Cup next summer and Sir David Beckham’s involvement off the pitch simply cannot be overlooked.

Despite all this, it is hard to look past PSG here. They might not have been at their best during this tournament but one senses this is a team capable of raising their game when they have to. One wouldn’t bet against PSG going all the way at the Club World Cup but this should be a fascinating clash between a team with a smattering of stardust and another who have finally reached the summit after eschewing a Galacticos-style approach.

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(Photo of Lionel Messi: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)