Inter Miami Set for Showdown Against PSG After Thrilling Draw with Palmeiras

FIFA Club World Cup

It’s an impressive record: Lionel Messi’s teams have successfully advanced from all 33 group stages they have entered throughout his career. This remarkable feat continued on Monday night when Inter Miami CF secured a thrilling 2-2 draw against Brazilian powerhouse Palmeiras. In front of a crowd of 60,194 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, Tadeo Allende (16’) and Luis Suárez (65’) provided Inter Miami with leads, but equalizers from Paulinho and Mauricio ensured the Brazilian side retained their competitive edge.

In the concurrent match between Al-Ahly and Porto, which ended in a 4-4 draw, both Inter Miami and Palmeiras advanced. However, due to the late equalizer from Mauricio, Inter Miami finished second in Group A, setting the stage for a Round of 16 match against Messi’s former team, Paris Saint-Germain. PSG had earlier qualified with a 2-0 victory over Miami’s Major League Soccer rivals, Seattle Sounders.

This upcoming clash carries its own set of narratives, especially considering Messi’s departure from PSG was anything but amicable. “The way things evolved during my last years in Paris—though it was an immediate decision because I had to leave Barcelona—I struggled to adapt. I wasn’t happy in training or games; my time there was challenging,” Messi shared in a March interview with Apple Music.

PSG is Next – What has Inter Miami CF Gained from the FIFA Club World Cup?

“Let’s see,” said Luis Enrique when questioned about the possibility of facing Messi in the Round of 16. He promptly exited the press conference, leaving the media wanting more details. His players were similarly non-committal. “We must be prepared for whoever we face,” said Vitinha in the mixed zone.

This matchup is now confirmed, with both teams set to clash on Sunday, June 29, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For Inter Miami, led by Messi, this presents a unique challenge for the UEFA Champions League winners. Although Messi did not score against Palmeiras, he was one of the standout players on the field. Additionally, he had previously netted the decisive goal against Porto (2-1) during matchday 2, helping Miami to navigate a tough group stage.

Inter Miami is also the only MLS team to progress beyond the group stage. The Sounders faced elimination today, and LAFC was also knocked out before the final match after losses to Esperance and Chelsea. This success means a substantial financial boost for the Beckham-owned club, as Inter Miami earned $9.55 million for participating in the group stage, an additional $4 million from their tournament results so far, and will receive an extra $7.5 million for reaching the Round of 16.