Follow usPalmeiras produced a late comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami, securing top spot in Group A and sending both clubs through to the last 16 of the Club World Cup.
Miami raced to a two-goal lead with strikes from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez, but Brazilian side Palmeiras clawed their way back with late goals from Paulinho and Mauricio, ensuring a share of the points. Both teams finished the group stage with five points, but Palmeiras edged the top spot on goal difference. Al-Ahly and Porto, who drew 4-4 in a thriller, were eliminated.
After blowing a 2-0 lead that would have seen them top their group, Inter Miami now finish second and will face the champions of Europe PSG in the knockout stage 😳 pic.twitter.com/HJ2eWWPTpT
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 24, 2025
The draw sets up a high-profile round of 16 clash between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and his former club PSG, where the Argentine superstar played from 2021 to 2023. Palmeiras will face Brazilian rivals Botafogo in a fiery all-Brazilian showdown.
Inter Miami became the only MLS side to advance past the group stage, with LAFC and Seattle Sounders crashing out early.
Despite playing at home at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, the atmosphere felt more like an away game for the hosts as Palmeiras fans created a deafening backdrop. The Brazilian side began with high intensity but struggled to find a clinical final ball.
Miami struck first in the 16th minute when Allende burst past a passive Palmeiras defense, capping a 40-meter run with a composed finish. Suárez, who had been quiet until then, doubled the lead in the 65th minute, cutting inside and rifling a shot into the top corner from a tight angle.
Palmeiras turned the tide in the final 10 minutes. Substitute Paulinho coolly slotted home a low shot to reduce the deficit, and Mauricio equalized seven minutes later after pouncing on a poor clearance and blasting in from the edge of the box, ensuring Palmeiras held on to top spot.
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