It would be too strong to call what happened to Inter Miami in the final round of the Club World Cup group stage against Palmeiras a “tragedy,” especially since Javier Mascherano’s side did advance to the Round of 16. But if we were to describe the 2–2 draw in such terms, we wouldn’t be far off the mark. Thanks to goals from Allende and Suarez, the Florida team held a 2–0 lead over the favorites until the 80th minute. They had first place in the group secured, which would have meant avoiding PSG in the Round of 16. But then Palmeiras equalized in the space of seven minutes, stealing first place from Inter. Palmeiras will now face Botafogo in an all-Brazilian Round of 16 clash, while Inter Miami faces what is likely an insurmountable obstacle — European champions Paris Saint-Germain.16′ INTER MIAMI ON THE COUNTER… GOAL!!! 🤯Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MIASEP pic.twitter.com/xFIGQPPyBJ— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 24, 2025 2-0 Inter Miami. LUIS SUAREZ WITH A BANGER!!!! HE JUST SCORED A WORLD-CLASS GOAL AT 38 YEARS OLD!!! INSANE!!pic.twitter.com/dsatJpcakL— Goals ⚽ (@Goals360hub) June 24, 2025 In a spectacular but ultimately meaningless match in terms of progression, Porto and Al Ahly played to a 4–4 draw. Both teams had a chance to qualify only if Inter and Palmeiras didn’t draw. Since Inter led most of the game, there was hope for the Egyptians and Portuguese, but Palmeiras’ late equalizer rendered their game meaningless. In the end, Palmeiras would have progressed even with a loss, since Porto and Al Ahly ended in a draw. Al Ahly led four times; Porto equalized four times in what turned out to be a showcase match. Inter Miami will have many regrets. In the 73rd minute, as the heat in Miami and the rhythm of the game drained the air, one man — the same who bit Giorgio Chiellini 11 years ago — seemed to be breathing different air. Luis Suarez received the ball 40 meters from goal, with his back to the net. Then came the turn, a left-right dribble — his body no longer has the speed of old, but his brain and instincts were flawless. He left three defenders in the dust like shadows rather than players from an elite South American team. He reached the edge of the box, lifted his head, already knew where the ball would go before he shot, and nailed it for 2–0 — seemingly sealing first place in the group. 2-1 Palmeiras! ⚽PAULINHO SCORES TO GIVE HOPE BACK TO PALMEIRAS!!! pic.twitter.com/W084bbSjho— FÚTBOL HUB (@futbolhub7) June 24, 2025 2-2 Palmeiras!INSANE VOLLEY FROM MAURICIO TO EQUALIZE THE GAME FOR THE BRAZILIAN TEAM!!!!pic.twitter.com/FQAqtjodCh— Goals ⚽ (@Goals360hub) June 24, 2025 Palmeiras, with a quick counter that didn’t seem particularly dangerous (they had many better chances throughout the game), caught Inter’s backline off guard and Paulinho scored to make it 2–1 in the 80th minute. Then in the 85th, everything could’ve been decided — Inter had a colossal chance on the counter. Messi sent a perfect ball to the far post for Haitian winger Fafa Picault, who was completely unmarked. But the Caribbean attacker mishandled the perfect pass like an amateur and deflected the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. At that moment, it seemed the unwritten law of football was about to punish Inter — and it did, severely. Just two minutes later, Palmeiras equalized with a precise strike from Mauricio inside the box securing a shocking 2–2 draw, reclaiming first place in the group, setting up a clash with Botafogo, and sending the MLS side to face football’s equivalent of Everest in 2025 — Paris Saint-Germain.
