Inter Miami have booked a high-profile last-16 Club World Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain after securing qualification from their group despite a chaotic end to their final match. The MLS side, inspired by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, squandered a two-goal lead against Palmeiras but still did enough to advance.
The match in question saw Javier Mascherano’s Inter Miami take control early, with Tadeo Allende breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute. Palmeiras defender Murilo suffered a hamstring injury during the play and was forced off. Miami continued to dominate and doubled their advantage midway through the second half thanks to a clinical finish from Suarez.
While Inter Miami were coasting, Palmeiras looked disjointed and uninspired. Their first-half performance was labeled one of their worst of the season, drawing jeers and sarcastic “olé” chants from the crowd. For over an hour, they were tactically outplayed and second-best in every department.
However, the match flipped late on. Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira made a series of inspired substitutions, bringing on Allan, Mauricio, Paulinho, and Vitor Roque. This injected urgency and creativity into the Brazilian side. In the 82nd minute, Allan slipped a sublime pass to Paulinho, who pulled one back. Just five minutes later, Mauricio netted the equaliser to seal a 2-2 draw.
That late rally allowed Palmeiras to retain top spot in their group and dodge a daunting clash with PSG. Instead, they will face Botafogo in an all-Brazilian round-of-16 showdown scheduled for June 28 in Philadelphia.
Had Mauricio’s goal not come, Palmeiras would have finished second, setting up a far more difficult fixture against the European champions in Atlanta.
Despite their on-field issues, Palmeiras fans once again made their presence felt. Their relentless support in the stands stood in stark contrast to the team’s sluggish display. The result may have flattered Palmeiras, but their supporters left a much stronger impression.