club world cup

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami settle for second in group after 2-2 draw vs Palmeiras at FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami let a two-goal lead slip late against Palmeiras, settling for a 2-2 draw and finishing second in Group A of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Updated on June 24, 2025 11:56AM EDT

**© Megan Briggs/Getty Images**Mauricio #18 of Palmeiras celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Vitor Roque #9, Paulinho #10, Joaquin Piquerez #22, and teammates during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami appeared on track to top Group A at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, but a dramatic late comeback by Palmeiras denied them the top spot. Despite leading by two goals, the Herons were held to a 2-2 draw, sealing a second-place group finish behind the Brazilian club.

The match started brightly for Inter Miami, with Tadeo Allende scoring an early opener. Luis Suarez added to the lead with a brilliant solo goal in the second half, and it seemed the MLS side was poised to finish as group winners.

But Palmeiras rallied late. Paulinho pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining, and Mauricio completed the comeback with an 87th-minute equalizer that handed the Brazilians first place in the group.

As a result, Palmeiras will face fellow Brazilian side Botafogo on Saturday, June 28, in the Round of 16. Inter Miami will square off against Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, June 29, setting the stage for Lionel Messi’s high-profile reunion with his former club.

10:56PM

Thanks for joining us!

With this result, Inter Miami finished second in the group, while Palmeiras did it in first place, and you lived every moment of this game here.

Thanks for staying with us, see you next time!

10:55PM

END OF THE GAME! (2-2)

The game between Inter Miami and Palmeiras ended tied 2-2.

10:47PM

87'- GOAAAAAAL FOR PALMEIRAS (2-2)

Mauricio scores for Palmeiras to level the match!!

10:45PM

84'- Ustari with a great save! (2-1)

Oscar Ustari saves a great shot by Mauricio to keep Inter Miami ahead.

10:40PM

79'- GOAAAAAL FOR PALMEIRAS!! (2-1)

Paulinho scores for Palmeiras to cut distances in the scoreboard!

10:36PM

76'- Two substitutions for Inter Miami (2-0)

Federico Redondo and Tadeo Allende leave the field to make way for Baltasar Rodriguez and Fafa Picault.

10:33PM

72'- Substitution for Inter Miami

Luis Suarez leaves the field to make way for Benjamin Cremaschi.

10:30PM

69- Estevao with a great shot! (2-0)

The young Brazilian forward took a shot from outside the box, but his effort went just over the crossbar.

10:26PM

65'- Substitutions in both teams (2-0)

Jordi Alba enters to replace Telasco Segovia in Inter Miami, and Vitor Roque and Allan Ellias enter to replace Lucas Evangelista and Marcos Rocha.

10:25PM

64- GOAAAAAL FOR INTER MIAMI!! (2-0)

Luis Suarez scores a fantastic goal to give Inter Miami the lead!

10:17PM

57'- Messi with another dangerous strike! (1-0)

The captain fired from outside the box, but this time his shot sailed over Weverton’s crossbar.

10:15PM

54'- Substitution for Palmeiras (1-0)

Facundo Torres leaves the field to make way for Paulinho.

10:12PM

52'- Allende misses a big chance! (1-0)

After a long run toward the Palmeiras goal, Allende's shot narrowly missed, going just wide of the post.

10:10PM

49'- Lionel Messi shoots from outside the box! (1-0)

Messi tried from outside the box, but the shot went to Weverton's hands.

10:06PM

45'- Substitution for Palmeiras (1-0)

Raphael Veiga leaves the field to make way for Mauricio.

10:05PM

Second half underway! (1-0)

The game is on again!

09:48PM

Halftime! (1-0)

The game goes to halftime with Inter Miami leading the scoreboard 1-0 over Palmeiras.

09:46PM

45'- Yellow card for Inter Miami (1-0)

Lionel Messi receives the first yellow card of the game.

09:41PM

Group A standings update

With Porto and Al Ahly currently tied 1-1 in their simultaneous match, Inter Miami would advance as group winners, while Palmeiras would secure second place and also move on to the next round of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

09:29PM

28'- Palmeiras pressing for the equalizer (1-0)

The Brazilian side is pushing forward in search of the goal that would level the match and secure the top spot in Group A.

09:18PM

17'- First substitution of the game (1-0)

Murilo Cerqueira leaves the field injured to make way for Bruno Fuchs.

09:17PM

16'- GOAAAAAL FOR INTER MIAMI! (1-0)

Tadeo Allende scores the first goal of the game to give Inter Miami the lead!

09:05PM

4'- Ustari saves the first chance! (0-0)

Following a Palmeiras corner, captain Gustavo Gomez rose for a strong header, but goalkeeper Oscar Ustari handled it comfortably.

09:01PM

GAME ON!

Inter Miami and Palmeiras are playing on Matchday 3 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025!

08:50PM

Both teams are doing warm-up activities!

Inter Miami and Palmeiras are doing warm-up activities on the field. The game will begin at the Hard Rock Stadium in a few minutes!

08:40PM

Why is Jordi Alba not playing for Inter Miami?

The reason why Jordi Alba won't play from the start is because he has been dealing with a hamstring injury for several weeks and, while he is fit to play, he is not at 100%

08:21PM

Inter Miami's lineup confirmed!

This will be Inter Miami's starting XI: Oscar Ustari; Marcelo Weigandt, Tomas Aviles, Maximiliano Falcon, Noah Allen; Tadeo Allende, Federico Redondo, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez.

08:13PM

Palmeiras' lineup confirmed!

This will be Palmeiras' starting lineup: Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gomez, Murilo Cerqueira, Joaquin Piquerez; Richard Rios, Lucas Evangelista, Raphael Veiga; Estevao Willian, Facundo Torres; Jose Manuel Lopez.

08:00PM

What result do Inter Miami need to qualify for round of 16?

These are the outcomes that Inter Miami need to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16. A win would guarantee Inter Miami a place in the round of 16 putting them at the top of Group A. A draw would also work in the Herons’ favor, just as it would for Palmeiras, as both teams would secure advancement.

Inter Miami can only be eliminated if they lose to Palmeiras, and Al Ahly defeat Porto—and at least one of those results must come with a margin of two or more goals. Only then would disciplinary records, such as yellow and red cards, come into play.

07:45PM

Tonight’s referee

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has been appointed to officiate the high-stakes showdown between Inter Miami and Palmeiras. Lionel Messi is familiar with Marciniak, as the Polish official also took charge of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar, where Argentina defeated France in a dramatic penalty shootout.

The full officiating team for today's game:

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
Assistant Referee 2: Adam Kupsik (POL)
Fourth Official: Michael Oliver (GBR)
VAR referee: Tomasz Kwiatkowsk (POL)

07:30PM

Is Lionel Messi playing tonight?

Lionel Messi will play from the start today in the crucial match against Palmeiras at the Hard Rock Stadium. The Argentine trained with the team without any trouble despite feeling some pain in his quadriceps in the match against Porto.

07:15PM

Kick off time and how to watch

The clash between Inter Miami and Palmeiras for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage will kick off at 9:00 PM (ET).

DAZN will be the option to watch Inter Miami vs Palmeiras in the USA. Other options are TBS, TruTV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Sling Orange.

07:00PM

Inter Miami and Palmeiras clash in Matchday 3 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Welcome to our live blog of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, where Inter Miami and Palmeiras face off at the Hard Rock Stadium.

This matchup is crucial for Group A, with both teams aiming to secure a spot in the knockout stage.

Stay with us for live, minute-by-minute updates—you won’t want to miss a single moment of this thrilling showdown!

Gianni Taina

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