Lionel Messi is set for a highly anticipated reunion with his former club Paris Saint-Germain after helping Inter Miami reach the Round of 16 of the Club World Cup. The Major League Soccer side secured qualification with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Brazilian champions Palmeiras at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Inter Miami, led by head coach Javier Mascherano, looked to be cruising into the knockouts after first-half goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez put them 2-0 up. But a spirited late fightback from Palmeiras saw them equalize through Paulinho and Mauricio in the final 10 minutes, ensuring both teams progressed while eliminating Porto and Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Despite missing out on top spot in the group, Miami’s performance stunned many, with few expecting the American side to advance past the group stage. They will now face European champions PSG in the next round, while Palmeiras will take on Brazilian rivals Botafogo in an all-South American clash.
The fixture against PSG will be especially emotional for Messi, who turns 38 on Tuesday. It marks his first encounter with the French side since departing them in 2023 to join Inter Miami.
The match drew a lively crowd of 60,914, including a large contingent of Brazilian supporters. Palmeiras started brightly, with Gustavo Gomez forcing a strong early save from Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. But it was the hosts who struck first in the 16th minute.
Luis Suárez expertly chested a long ball into the path of Tadeo Allende, who raced past the defense and calmly slotted past Weverton to open the scoring.
Miami dominated large spells of the first half, with Messi dropping deep to dictate play alongside Sergio Busquets and Federico Redondo. Palmeiras struggled to impose themselves, creating just one real opportunity before halftime, which Facundo Torres wasted by firing wide.
Messi had his first real sight on goal early in the second half, forcing a save with a low strike from the edge of the box. Allende nearly doubled the lead minutes later with a shot that flashed just wide, while Messi went close again with a half-volley that sailed over.
The second goal arrived in the 65th minute as Suárez rolled back the years with a brilliant solo effort—skipping past two defenders before smashing the ball into the top corner.
However, Miami’s hopes of topping the group—and avoiding PSG—faded as Palmeiras mounted a comeback. Substitute Paulinho pulled one back in the 80th minute after a slick reverse pass from Allan Andrade. Then, with just three minutes left, Mauricio pounced on a loose ball in the box, firing a low drive into the far corner to seal a crucial point.
Speaking after the game, Inter Miami coach Mascherano praised his team’s performance despite the late setback.
“It was a great game from us. It’s never easy playing one of the best teams in South America,” he said. “Yes, it hurts that we were so close to a win, but before the tournament, if you’d told me we’d perform like this, I’d have taken it.”
Palmeiras boss Abel Ferreira was less impressed with his team’s first-half showing but acknowledged their resilience.
“I told the players at halftime it couldn’t get any worse. We didn’t press, didn’t contain them,” he admitted. “But in the second half, our spirit made the difference and we earned our place in the next round.”
With knockout matchups now confirmed, all eyes turn to Messi’s showdown with PSG in Atlanta—a storyline that adds even more intrigue to the 2025 Club World Cup’s final stages.