Inter Miami advances in Club World Cup. Messi to face former team, PSG, in Round of 16.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL — Lionel Messi could only look down and shake his head in disappointment. Inter Miami’s match Monday night in the FIFA Club World Cup didn’t end the way it should have for the club. But there’s still reason to celebrate.
Inter Miami jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Brazilian club Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium to end the group stage in the Club World Cup — the night before Messi’s 38th birthday.
Inter Miami nearly won Group A. They were so close. Still, they advanced to the Round of 16 in the tournament thanks to the draw. Inter Miami is the only Major League Soccer club to advance to the Club World Cup knockout rounds, as both Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders have been eliminated.
The next matchup is a juicy one, too.
Messi and Inter Miami will face his old team Paris Saint-Germain — the club he left two years ago to join Major League Soccer and play the twilight of his career in the United States. They’ll meet on June 29 in Atlanta.
The draw was as disappointing as it was heartbreaking: Paulinho scored in the 80th minute, and Mauricio tied the match in the 87th minute for Palmeiras.
It spoiled an early birthday present for Messi. Tadeo Allende scored in the 16th minute, and Luis Suarez doubled the lead in the 65th minute for Inter Miami.
But they could not hang on.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from both Club World Cup Group A matches:
Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras highlights
Al Ahly 4, FC Porto 4: Pepê ties it up again
Pepê (not to be confused with the longtime Portugal international of the same name) scored an equalizer in the 89th minute.
Moments after Pepê's goal, the Inter Miami and Palmeiras game ended with a 2-2 tie, thus ending the Club World Cup hopes of both FC Porto and Al Ahly. — Jim Reineking
Inter Miami 2, Palmeiras 2: Mauricio fires game-tying goal late
Lionel Messi could only shake his head in disbelief. Palmeiras’ Mauricio tied the match in the 87th minute, and Inter Miami will be unable to win a group in the Club World Cup. If this match ends in a draw, both clubs will still advance to the Round of 16.
Inter Miami 2, Palmeiras 1: Paulinho scores goal to trim lead
This one isn’t over just yet. Palmeiras’ Paulinho scored in the 80th minute to trim Inter Miami’s lead to 2-1. Inter Miami is still in great shape to advance, and can even allow another goal in this match to reach the Club World Cup round of 16. But they have at least 10 decisive minutes left to secure victory.
Inter Miami 2, Palmeiras 0: Messi misses sliding attempt in front of net
Luis Suarez delivered another stellar pass, this time to Messi, who was unable to apply the finish in the 73rd minute. Suarez has been substituted out so Inter Miami can prioritize defense to end this match.
Al Ahly 4, FC Porto 3: Egyptian club retakes lead
The fans at MetLife Stadium are getting their money's worth with this one.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly is making sure the Portuguese club doesn't advance to the Club World Cup knockout round.
Mohamed Ben Romdhane's powerful shot in the 64th minute found the back of the net as the Egyptian club has its fourth goal of the game after entering Monday night's play without having scored in its previous two games.
As things currently stand, Inter Miami and Palmeiras would both advance. — Jim Reineking
Inter Miami 2, Palmeiras 0: Luis Suarez scores goal to double lead
Inter Miami is about 30 minutes away from winning their group at the FIFA Club World Cup. Luis Suarez dribbled past several defenders, doubled Inter Miami’s lead with his left foot in the 65th minute. Talk about turning back the clock.
Al Ahly 3, FC Porto 3: Samu Aghehowa ties it back up
Blink and you'll miss a goal!
That's three goals in a four-minute span at MetLife Stadium, as FC Porto's Samu Aghehowa headed home an equalizer in the 53rd minute. He was assisted by teammate Fábio Vieira on a cross following a corner kick. — Jim Reineking
Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 0: Messi sails shot over net
Messi headed the possession so he could fire away, aimed and sailed his shot over the net in the 58th minute. Messi is looking to impose his presence in this match. Meanwhile, in the other match, both sides have traded a series of goals in the second half.
Al Ahly 3, FC Porto 2: Wessam Abou Ali scores his third
The action is coming fast and furious at MetLife Stadium.
Immediately after FC Porto tied it on William Gomes' shot, Wessam Abou Ali headed home his third goal of the game. Abou Ali's hat trick goal came on a cross from teammate Mohamed Hany. — Jim Reineking
Al Ahly 2, FC Porto 2: William Gomes evens the score
FC Porto's William Gomes scored a banger of a goal to tie up the game in the 50th minute.
Porto desperately needs to score goals — and for Inter Miami to hold onto its lead — if it has any hopes of advancing in the Club World Cup. — Jim Reineking
Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 0: Tadeo Allende misses his second goal
Inter Miami’s Tadeo Allende had another chance at a runaway goal, but his finish was wide of the left post. It was a stellar pass from Luis Suarez. And it was a great of a chance as any for Inter Miami to double their lead in this Club World Cup match.
Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 0: Messi takes his first shot of the game
Lionel Messi winded up for his first shot of the game in the 49th minute, but it was a slow left boot that was saved by the Palmeiras goalkeeper.
Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 0: Messi picks up yellow card before halftime
The first yellow card of the match goes to Lionel Messi. He pushed a Palmeiras player after losing possession, but it was an apparent response to his teammate Telasco Segovia being aggressively challenged without a foul considered.
Al Ahly 2, FC Porto 1: Wessam Abou Ali converts penalty kick
During the first minute of first-half stoppage time, a foul inside the 18-yard box by FC Porto's Fábio Vieira helped Al Ahly retake the lead moments before halftime.
Wessam Abou Ali buried the free kick and now has scored both of Al Ahly's goals as the Egyptian powerhouse keeps its Club World Cup hopes alive. — Jim Reineking
Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 0: Big shot missed by former MLS standout
Palmeiras’ Facundo Torres missed a major opportunity with a left boot in the 32nd minute. The former Orlando City player was unable to convert just wide of the right post.
Al Ahly 1, FC Porto 1: Rodrigo Mora answers with goal
FC Porto is doing its part to help the Inter Miami cause.
Moments after Wessam Abou Ali scored Al Ahly's first goal of the Club World Cup, Porto tied it up. 18-year-old phenom Rodrigo Mora evened up the score in the 23rd minute to give his club a chance at advancement (Porto needs a win, coupled with an Inter Miami win and goal differential tiebreaker edge).
A Porto win pushes Inter Miami in the Club World Cup knockout round, regardless of the result of Inter Miami's game with Palmeiras. — Jim Reineking
Inter Miami 1, Palmeiras 0: Tadeo Allende scores goal
Inter Miami has struck first with Tadeo Allende’s runaway goal in the 16th minute. Allende had a wide open lane to convert the opportunity, with just a goalkeeper in his path, after a clearance by Luis Suarez. The score happened shortly after Al Ahly took a 1-0 lead against Porto in the other match.
Al Ahly 1, FC Porto 0: Wessam Abou Ali puts Egyptian club on board
Al Ahly needs to win and get some serious help from Palmeiras against Inter Miami.
The Egyptian club got on the scoreboard first at MetLife Stadium against FC Porto, as Wessam Abou Ali slipped a shot past Porto 'keeper Cláudio Ramos in the 15th minute.
This is Al Ahly's first goal of the Club World Cup. — Jim Reineking
Inter Miami misses first chance: Inter Miami 0, Palmeiras 0
Luis Suarez to Noah Allen, who found Messi in prime position. But the Argentine World Cup champion was unable to handle the possession in the penalty area in the 10th minute. Even though Messi fell to the pitch, a penalty was not called after he collided into a Palmeiras defender.
Inter Miami 0, Palmeiras 0: Gustavo Gómez header saved by Oscar Ustari
An early save from Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari, who has been crucial in the club allowing just one goal through two matches in the Club World Cup.
What time is Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras match in Club World Cup?
Inter Miami and Palmeiras play at 9 p.m. ET (10 p.m. in Argentina and Brazil). The Porto-Al Ahly match also begins at the same time.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras match on TV, live stream?
The Inter Miami-Palmeiras match is available on TBS and TruTV in English, and available to live stream on DAZN. The Porto-Al Ahly match is also available to live stream on DAZN.
Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras betting odds
The odds aren’t in Inter Miami’s favor for this one, according to BETMGM.
- Inter Miami: +400
- Draw: +160
- Palmeiras: +110
- Over/under: 2.5 goals
Is Lionel Messi playing tonight?
Yes, Messi is in the Inter Miami starting lineup for the match.
Is Lionel Messi healthy?
Messi experienced some right thigh discomfort in the second half of Inter Miami's 2-1 win over FC Porto last Thursday in Atlanta, but he finished the match. Messi also practiced with his Inter Miami teammates before the Palmeiras match.
When is Lionel Messi's birthday?
Messi will turn 38 on June 24, just hours after Inter Miami faces Palmeiras.
Could Messi play against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup?
How’s this for a juicy Club World Cup storyline? It’s possible Messi could face one of his former teams in the knockout stage. Group B has been decided Monday, before Group A will be settled.
Paris Saint-Germain has won Group B after a 2-0 win over MLS side Seattle Sounders, while Atlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann scored in the 87th minute to push Brazilian side Botafogo to Group B runner-up.
It’s a disappointing result for Botafogo, which upset PSG 1-0 in their second group-stage match. But both teams will advance.
Here are the best-case scenarios for Inter Miami to advance in Club World Cup
- Win vs. Palmeiras
- Draw vs. Palmeiras
- Lose vs. Palmeiras, Porto beats Al Ahly
Here are the clinching scenarios for Group A in Club World Cup
When would Inter Miami play in Club World Cup round of 16?
- If Inter Miami wins Group A, they would face Botafogo June 28 in Philadelphia.
- If Inter Miami is Group A runner-up, they would face Paris Saint-Germain on June 29 in Atlanta.
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