Lionel Messi and Inter Miami missed out on winning their group at the Club World Cup. The American club gave away a 2-0 lead against Brazilian side Palmeiras and will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout stage.
With Messi and Luis Suárez in the starting lineup, things initially looked excellent for Inter Miami, who took a 1-0 lead after fifteen minutes through Tadeo Allende. After halftime, Suárez doubled the lead with a fine goal, and the club seemed on its way to winning the group.
However, things went wrong in the final phase. Palmeiras scored twice in the last ten minutes (through Paulinho and Maurício). Due to the 2-2 draw, Palmeiras, not Inter Miami, finished in first place in Group A based on a better goal difference.
As group winner, Palmeiras will face fellow league team Botafogo in the next round. Inter Miami will face PSG, Messi’s last club in Europe, in the eighth finals.
Messi, who celebrates his 38th birthday on Tuesday, was unable to shine against Palmeiras. He did so earlier in the tournament against FC Porto when he scored the winning goal from a free kick.
Spectacle at FC Porto-Al Ahly
There was plenty of spectacle in the other match in Group A. FC Porto and Al Ahly from Egypt scored freely and left the field with a 4-4 draw after 90 minutes.
Wessam Abou Ali claimed the main role for Al Ahly. He scored three goals and seemed to secure the victory for his team. That was prevented in the 89th minute by a goal from FC Porto attacker Pepê.
Both FC Porto and Al Ahly finished the group stage with two points and are done at the tournament in the United States. Atlético Madrid was also eliminated on Tuesday evening despite a victory.