Draw sends Palmeiras, Inter Miami to Club World Cup last 16
Inter Miami vs Palmeiras
In a pulsating encounter at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on Monday, Palmeiras staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami, ensuring both teams advanced to the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup from Group A. Trailing by two goals after strikes from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez, Palmeiras showcased their resilience and attacking prowess with late goals from Paulinho and Mauricio in the final 10 minutes, snatching a point that allowed them to finish top of the group on goal difference. Both teams ended the group stage with five points, but Palmeiras’ superior goal differential secured them first place, setting up an all-Brazilian clash against Botafogo in the knockout rounds, while Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, earned a blockbuster matchup against European champions Paris Saint-Germain, where Messi spent two seasons from 2021 to 2023. The result not only marked a historic achievement for Inter Miami, the only Major League Soccer team to reach the knockout phase, but also eliminated Al Ahly and FC Porto, who failed to secure a win in their respective campaigns. The match was a showcase of South American grit and MLS ambition, played out in front of a passionate, Palmeiras-dominated crowd that created an electric atmosphere, making it a memorable night in the Club World Cup’s expanded format.
The game began with Palmeiras, one of South America’s most storied clubs, asserting their dominance early on, fueled by the vocal support of their fans, who turned the Florida venue into a cauldron of noise that made it feel like an away game for the hosts. The Brazilian side’s high-pressing style and relentless energy pinned Inter Miami back in their defensive third, as Palmeiras sought to impose their physicality and technical quality. However, despite their early intensity, Palmeiras struggled with precision in the final third, with their crosses and through balls failing to find their intended targets. Inter Miami, under the guidance of coach Javier Mascherano, absorbed the pressure and relied on their star-studded lineup, including Messi and Suárez, to exploit moments of transition. In the 16th minute, Miami stunned the Palmeiras faithful with a brilliantly executed counterattack. Tadeo Allende, the Argentine winger, surged past a static Palmeiras defense, embarking on a 40-meter run before coolly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Weverton. The goal was a testament to Miami’s clinical approach, as they capitalized on their first meaningful opportunity to take a 1-0 lead. The strike silenced the Palmeiras supporters momentarily and gave Miami a foothold in the match, as they grew in confidence and began to assert themselves against their formidable opponents.
The second half saw Palmeiras regroup and redouble their efforts, but Inter Miami continued to pose a threat on the break. Early in the half, Allende nearly doubled Miami’s lead, flashing a shot narrowly wide after another rapid counterattack that exposed Palmeiras’ high defensive line. The moment served as a warning to the Brazilian side, who were leaving themselves vulnerable in their pursuit of an equalizer. Lionel Messi, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, then produced a moment of magic that brought the crowd to its feet. In the 55th minute, the Argentine maestro unleashed a dipping volley from distance that sailed just over the crossbar, reminding everyone of his ability to change a game in an instant. Palmeiras’ defense, marshaled by Gustavo Gómez, held firm under pressure, but their task became even more daunting in the 65th minute when Suárez struck. The Uruguayan striker, who had been largely subdued, came alive with a moment of brilliance, cutting onto his left foot and firing a precise shot into the top corner from a tight angle. The 2-0 scoreline reflected Miami’s efficiency and star quality, as Suárez’s goal seemed to put the hosts in firm control. Mascherano, reflecting on his team’s performance, described it as a “historic night” for MLS, noting, “It was a great game from us, it’s difficult to play against one of the best teams in South America. Maybe at the end we had the game in our hands so the feeling is strange, but before the start of the tournament, if someone told me we were going to have this kind of performance against these kind of teams, I would have signed it.”
With time running out and their Club World Cup hopes hanging in the balance, Palmeiras refused to capitulate. The Brazilian side, known for their tenacity under pressure, threw everything forward in search of a way back into the match. Their persistence paid off in the 80th minute when substitute Paulinho, brought on to add fresh legs and attacking impetus, guided a low finish into the corner after a well-worked move. The goal reignited Palmeiras’ belief and sent their fans into a frenzy, sensing that a comeback was within reach. Inter Miami, suddenly under siege, struggled to regain their composure as Palmeiras pressed for an equalizer. In the 87th minute, the Brazilian side’s relentless pressure bore fruit once again. A loose clearance from Miami’s defense fell to Mauricio, who seized the opportunity with a composed strike from the penalty spot, firing the ball past goalkeeper Drake Callender to level the score at 2-2. The equalizer sparked wild celebrations among Palmeiras’ players and supporters, as the point ensured they would finish top of Group A and advance to the knockout rounds. For Inter Miami, the late collapse was a bitter pill to swallow, but their five points were enough to secure second place on goal difference, booking their place in the last 16 as the only MLS representative after the eliminations of Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders.
The draw was a fitting reflection of the competitive balance in Group A, where Palmeiras and Inter Miami emerged as the standout teams, while Al Ahly and FC Porto faltered. For Palmeiras, the result was a testament to their character and depth, as they overcame a two-goal deficit to secure top spot and set up an intriguing all-Brazilian clash against Botafogo in the next round. The matchup promises to be a fiercely contested affair, with both teams vying for supremacy in South American football. Inter Miami, meanwhile, face a daunting challenge against PSG, a reunion for Messi, who will return to face his former club in what promises to be one of the tournament’s marquee fixtures. The prospect of Messi going head-to-head with PSG’s star-studded squad, including players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the knockout phase. Mascherano’s comments underscored the significance of Miami’s achievement, as their ability to compete with a club of Palmeiras’ caliber marked a milestone for MLS on the global stage.
As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, both Palmeiras and Inter Miami can take pride in their performances, even as they prepare for the challenges ahead. For Palmeiras, the comeback showcased their ability to thrive under pressure, a quality that will serve them well in their quest for Club World Cup glory. The Brazilian side’s fans, who created an unforgettable atmosphere in Florida, will travel with renewed optimism as their team faces Botafogo in the last 16. For Inter Miami, the draw was a historic moment, as they became the first MLS team to reach the knockout rounds of the expanded Club World Cup. Despite letting a two-goal lead slip, their performance against Palmeiras demonstrated their potential to compete with the world’s elite, particularly with players like Messi and Suárez leading the charge. The match at Hard Rock Stadium will be remembered as a classic, a game that encapsulated the drama and unpredictability of the Club World Cup, where resilience, star power, and late heroics can shape a team’s destiny. As Palmeiras and Inter Miami look ahead to their respective knockout fixtures, they carry the momentum of this result and the belief that they can go further in a tournament that continues to captivate the global footballing world.
