By Mohamed Islam Bouteraa

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — The magic of the Club World Cup was on full display at Hard Rock Stadium, where Palmeiras and Inter Miami delivered a match that swung from ecstasy to heartbreak—and back again—in a thrilling 2-2 draw. In the end, it was the Brazilian giants who walked away as group winners, their late comeback ensuring a dream knockout-stage clash with Botafogo and sparing them an early meeting with PSG.

Miami’s Dream Start Turns Sour

For 80 minutes, it looked like Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were scripting the perfect story. The home crowd erupted in the 16th minute when young Argentine Tadeo Allende—playing with the fearlessness of a kid sharing the pitch with his idol—burst through midfield, took a clever pass from Luis Suárez, and coolly slotted past Weverton.

Then, in the 65th minute, Suárez rolled back the years. The 38-year-old Uruguayan turned his defender inside out before unleashing a rocket into the top corner, his celebration a mix of joy and relief as he pointed to the sky. At 2-0, with Messi pulling strings and the crowd in full voice, Miami seemed destined to top the group.

Palmeiras’ Brazilian Grit Shines Through

But Palmeiras, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, refused to die. They had dominated possession (62%) and peppered Miami’s goal with 22 shots, only to be repeatedly denied by Drake Callender’s heroics in net.

Then, the tide turned.In the 80th minute, substitute Paulinho—thrown on in desperation—pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired home to halve the deficit. The goal ignited Palmeiras, and seven minutes later, Maurício delivered the dagger—a thunderous strike from the edge of the box that left Callender rooted to the spot. The small but raucous contingent of traveling fans erupted, while the Miami supporters fell into stunned silence.

What This Means: A Rivalry Renewed, and Messi vs. PSG

The result sets up a tantalizing knockout stage:

• Palmeiras avoid PSG and instead get an all-Brazilian grudge match against Botafogo—a rematch of their fiery 2023 Copa Libertadores semifinal.
• Inter Miami, despite the late collapse, make history as the first MLS team to reach the Club World Cup knockouts. Their reward? A blockbuster showdown with Messi’s former club, Paris Saint-Germain.

The Human Story

For Miami, the locker room was somber post-match. Suárez, still catching his breath at his locker, shook his head when asked about the late goals. "Football is cruel sometimes," he muttered. Messi, ever the leader, gathered his teammates post-game, reminding them they’ve already made history.

Across the hallway, Palmeiras’ players celebrated like they’d won the trophy already. Veteran defender Gustavo Gómez, who played through a knock, limped around with a wide grin. "This is why we never stop believing," he told reporters.As the stadium lights dimmed, two very different emotions lingered in the South Florida air: Palmeiras’ joy at another chance to prove themselves against a bitter rival, and Miami’s quiet determination to shock the world against PSG.

One thing’s certain—the knockout stage just got a lot more interesting.

Key Moments:

⚽ 16’ – Tadeo Allende slots Miami ahead after a slick Suárez pass.

⚽ 65’ – Suárez turns back the clock with a vintage solo stunner.

⚽ 80’ – Paulinho gives Palmeiras hope with a close-range finish.

💥 87’ – Maurício breaks Miami hearts with a rocket equalizer.The Club World Cup’s drama is just getting started.