Messi to Face Former Club PSG as Inter Miami Reach Club World Cup Knockouts
By Timothy Abraham, BBC Sport Journalist
Lionel Messi will face his former club Paris Saint-Germain after Inter Miami secured a 2-2 draw with Palmeiras, earning a spot in the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup.
In front of 60,914 fans at Hard Rock Stadium, Inter Miami looked in control after goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez put them 2-0 up. However, Palmeiras struck back late, with Paulinho and Mauricio scoring in the final 10 minutes to level the match. The draw saw Palmeiras top Group A on goal difference, with Inter Miami finishing second to set up the highly anticipated showdown between Messi and PSG — where the Argentine superstar played from 2021 to 2023.
In the other Group A clash, Al Ahly and Porto played out a thrilling 4-4 draw at MetLife Stadium. Wessam Ali scored a hat-trick for the Egyptian side, but Porto’s Rodrigo Mora, William, Samu Aghehowa, and a dramatic late equalizer from Brazilian winger Pepe meant both teams ended the group stage with two points and were eliminated.
Who stood out?
While it was a relatively quiet game overall for Suárez, the 38-year-old Uruguayan striker still made a decisive impact. He provided the assist for Allende’s opener with a clever chest pass, before scoring Inter’s second with a superb left-footed half-volley into the top corner from a tight angle. His contribution earned him the player-of-the-match award.
The big talking point
FIFA's decision to allocate the host nation’s qualifying spot to Inter Miami raised eyebrows, with many believing it was a strategic move to ensure Messi’s participation. So far, that decision appears justified, as Inter Miami became the only US club to reach the knockout stage. Both Los Angeles FC and Seattle Sounders failed to advance.
Messi’s upcoming reunion with PSG, now Champions League holders, adds extra intrigue to the tournament. Inter head coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the challenge ahead:
"We've achieved the goal we set for ourselves at the start of this tournament, which was to qualify for the round of 16. Despite facing arguably the best team in Europe, we'll approach it with humility and seriousness. This sport has shown us many times that anything can happen."
PSG, meanwhile, sealed their place in the last 16 after a 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders, topping Group B.
Stat of the day
Messi’s teams have now advanced from the group stage in every one of the 33 tournaments he has played in throughout his career.
What’s next?
Inter Miami will meet PSG in Atlanta on 29 June in the last 16, while Palmeiras will face Brazilian rivals Botafogo in Philadelphia on 28 June.
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