Lionel Messi and Inter Miami defied expectations by surviving group play at the Club World Cup on Monday night yet you'd have been hard-pressed to guess that judging by the team's dejected demeanor.
Inter Miami completed they're remarkable advancement to the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup, but did so in bittersweet fashion after allowing a two-goal lead to slip away in a riveting 2-2 draw with Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The Brazilian club scored twice in the final 10 minutes, snatching a first-place finish in Group A away from the MLS side.
Inter Miami & Palmeiras BOTH Qualify For R16 In THRILLER | 2025 Club World Cup Highlights - YouTube
"We have completed the objective we set for ourselves at the start of the tournament, which was to qualify for the Round of 16," said Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano.
"Unfortunately, we had the game in our hands, but we could not hold onto it."
MAURICIO MAKES IT 2 ALL Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MIASEP pic.twitter.com/s5wxbtQy96June 24, 2025
While losing the healthy lead and top spot hurt in and of itself for Inter Miami, so too did the realization that a daunting first match-up now awaits in the knockouts.
Rather than play fellow Brazilian power Botafogo on Saturday, Inter Miami has a Sunday date in Atlanta with none other than reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.
"Yes, probably," said candid Inter Miami left back Noah Allen when asked if his team would have preferred to play Botafogo. Veteran left back Jordi Alba who entered as a substitute against Palmeiras also exuded little confidence about Inter Miami's chances against the French club.
"Now we have to face PSG," said Alba. "We will see up to where we can compete."
The Club World Cup puts Messi against former employers, PSG
Much will be made of that Round of 16 showdown, especially since it will pit Messi against the star-studded team that he spent two uneven and criticized seasons at before landing in Major League Soccer.
Perhaps that is why a visibly frustrated Messi was muttering to himself as he walked off the field on Monday, or perhaps it was due to his Inter Miami failing to close out a game it was in control of. Maybe both.
Why does Messi look disappointed at full time? Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/gK5CENXm2GJune 24, 2025
"It feels bittersweet," said Inter Miami winger Tadeo Allende. "Truthfully, we are a little hurt because we were ahead."
Mascherano's men may rue their inability to see things through in the group finale played in front of a raucous announced crowd of 60,914 that was so pro-Palmeiras you could have confused the game for being played in Sao Paulo.
Palmeiras Present!The Brazilian clubs supporters section displays a nice tifo via hand signs just before kickoff.#InterMiamiCF #Messi
TakeSporty
Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by TakeSporty.
Publisher: FourFourTwo
Publisher: FourFourTwo
Recent Articles
