Staff Reporter.
European champions Paris St Germain advanced into the knockout stage of the Club World Cup as Group B winners with a 2-0 victory over hosts Seattle Sounders on Monday.
The Ligue 1 champions, who suffered a shock defeat by Botafogo on Friday and were guaranteed a spot in the last 16 with a win over Seattle, scored in each half through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi.
Their opening goal had a hint of fortune to it with Vitinha’s 20-yard first-time drive heading off target before hitting Kvaratskhelia on the back and going in.
They added a second on the counter with Hakimi slamming in from Bradley Barcola’s pass.
PSG deserved their victory in Seattle with Desire Doue forcing three stops from Sounders keeper Stefan Frei.
The hosts’ best chance came when Gianluigi Donnarumma gave the ball straight to Jesus Ferreira, who shot over from a tight angle.
Meanwhile Botafogo booked their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup at the expense of Atletico Madrid, despite a 1-0 defeat by the Spanish side.