Key Takeaways
- Palmeiras roared back from 0–2 down to draw 2–2 and top Group A
- Inter Miami made history as the first MLS side to reach the Club World Cup knockouts
- Suárez and Allende gave Miami a shock early lead before late drama unfolded
- A chaotic 4–4 between Porto and Al Ahly saw both eliminated
- Palmeiras to face Botafogo in a Brazilian blockbuster; Miami gets PSG and Messi
- Tension, glory, and heartbreak defined one of the wildest group finales ever
The energy inside Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was electric. Inter Miami, playing in front of a roaring home crowd, came out blazing. Tadeo Allende danced past defenders before unleashing a rocket into the top corner. Minutes later, Luis Suárez—vintage and venomous—buried their second. Palmeiras, shaken and staring at defeat, needed something magical.
Enter Paulinho in the 80th minute. A crisp strike from the edge of the area reignited Palmeiras’ hopes. Then came Maurício, pouncing on a defensive mix-up to send shockwaves through the stands. From 0–2 down to 2–2 in just ten minutes—Palmeiras flipped the group script and topped it on goal difference.
Across the country at MetLife, chaos reigned. Al Ahly’s Abou Ali netted a hat-trick in a pulsating 4–4 draw with Porto. Yet, both teams were undone by the Miami-Palmeiras result, crashing out despite an eight-goal thriller that had fans breathless.
With the group dust settled, the knockouts now glisten with blockbuster potential. Palmeiras, riding a wave of late-game heroics, will face familiar foes Botafogo. Inter Miami, making MLS history, are set for a poetic clash with Paris Saint-Germain—where Lionel Messi’s past meets his present.
Final Whistle
The Club World Cup drama has only just begun. Palmeiras showed why they’re never out, while Inter Miami proved they’re no longer underdogs—they’re contenders. With Messi, Suárez, and a host of global stars still in the mix, the next round promises unforgettable fireworks.
Stay tuned with Goal Drift—your front-row seat for the fiercest fixtures, transfer whispers, and the global game’s biggest moments.
