Inter Miami are through to the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16, with Luis Suarez scoring a goal as the Major League Soccer side played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Palmeiras at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Monday night.
The Brazilian side allied from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami and qualify top of Group A for the Club World Cup last 16, with Inter Miami finishing in second place and ending the group stage unbeaten.
Goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez gave Miami a two-goal lead before Paulinho and Mauricio scored in the last 10 minutes to get Palmeiras back on level terms, as both teams finished on five points after three matches.
Inter Miami broke the deadlock after 16 minutes of the match when Allende surged past a sleeping Palmeiras defence to score at the end of a 40-metre run.
Allende could have gotten himself and Inter Miami a second goal when he sent a shot narrowly wide of the Palmeiras post after another quick counterattack in the second half, before Messi also came close with a dipping volley from distance that sailed just over.
That second goal finally came for Inter Miami when Suarez, quiet for much of the game, made no mistake in the 65th minute as he cut onto his left foot and fired into the top corner from a tight angle.
The goal rocked Palmeiras to life, with the Brazilian side getting one back 10 minutes from time through substitute Paulinho, who guided a low finish into the corner. Mauricio then picked up a loose clearance and fired home from the penalty spot to make sure Palmeiras would keep top spot in the group.
As a result, Lionel Messi’s side will take on European champions Paris St Germain, where the Argentine spent two seasons from 2021-23, while Palmeiras face fierce rivals Botafogo in an all-Brazilian clash for a place in the quarter-finals.