A method for manufacturing a plastic container by internal pressure forming including positioning a tubular preform between the die parts of a molding die having a die cavity; closing the molding die and forming or preforming a container from the preform using internal pressure, wherein a peripheral portion of the preform is pressed out of the die cavity through a die gap; laterally withdrawing the peripheral portion pressed out of the die cavity, as a result of which the container is divided into two container halves; and thermally separating plastic bridges and/or plastic threads which arise during the lateral withdrawal of the peripheral portion. Also disclosed is a molding die suitable for carrying out the method.