Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have sealed qualification for the Round of 16 in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, following a 2-2 draw against Brazil’s Palmeiras.
The MLS side took an early lead in the 16th minute when Tadeo Allende scored, assisted by Luis Suárez. Suárez then doubled the lead in the 65th minute. But Palmeiras stunned Messi and Co. with a late comeback, scoring in the 80th and 87th minutes. The match ended in a draw.
With this result, Inter Miami missed the chance to top Group A. They finished second with five points from three games. Palmeiras also ended with five points but claimed the top spot thanks to a better goal difference.
Lionel Messi played for PSG from 2021 to 2023
Now, Messi and Inter Miami will face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Round of 16 on 29 June. PSG are the current UEFA Champions League winners and also Messi’s former club. The Argentine superstar spent two seasons with them, from 2021 to 2023.
Despite having a two-goal advantage, Miami allowed Palmeiras to come back, which left their coach Javier Mascherano disappointed. Speaking to FIFA, he said: “We are disappointed because we had the game in our hands. We couldn’t close the game. But it was going to be difficult because [we were facing] a team that play very well with a lot of quality and is one of the best teams in South America. So now we are thinking about the next step.”
About facing PSG, he added: “We know that we are going to face maybe the best team in Europe [PSG]. It will be difficult, but we will try to do our best. We are going to try to show our quality and to try to prove our worth.”
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