Late Drama as Palmeiras Battle Back from 2-0 down to Draw Inter Miami and Reach Club World Cup Knockouts
Brazilian champions Palmeiras mounted a stunning late comeback to draw 2-2 with Inter Miami in a dramatic Group A finale at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, earning top spot in the group and setting up a last-16 clash with domestic rivals Botafogo. Despite letting a two-goal lead slip, Inter Miami also advanced and will now face European giants Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout stage.
Played in front of a passionate crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, both sides knew a draw would be enough to seal qualification, and the early minutes reflected that understanding. The opening 15 minutes were cautious, with little attacking risk from either team. Palmeiras created the first real opportunity when Gustavo Gómez met a corner with a firm header, but Oscar Ustari made a comfortable save for the hosts.
The game came alive shortly after, and it was Inter Miami who struck first — and hard.
In a burst of pace and precision, Tadeo Allende broke away down the left flank. Palmeiras defender Murilo Cerqueira pulled up with a hamstring injury while trying to chase him down, leaving a gap in the backline. Miami quickly capitalized, working the ball into the box before Allende slotted it home to make it 1-0.
The injury to Murilo was a major blow for Palmeiras. As they attempted to regroup and push for an equalizer, their frustration grew. A near-miss by Facundo Torres, who curled a shot just wide of the post, nearly leveled the match. The Brazilians also had strong penalty appeals waved away after Noah Allen appeared to clip Richard Rios inside the area. Minutes later, Rios’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Maximiliano Falcón, keeping Miami’s lead intact going into halftime.
Despite the scoreline, Palmeiras looked dangerous and carried their momentum into the second half. But it was Miami who struck again — this time through Luis Suárez.
In the 65th minute, the Uruguayan showed why he’s still a world-class finisher. After receiving the ball on the edge of the box, he turned sharply, beat Bruno Fuchs with a slick piece of skill, and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Weverton. The home fans erupted as Miami doubled their lead to 2-0, seemingly sealing top spot in Group A.
However, Palmeiras had no intention of going down without a fight.
Abel Ferreira introduced Allan and Paulinho in the second half, and the substitutes quickly changed the game. With 13 minutes left on the clock, Allan slipped a clever ball through to Paulinho, who finished neatly from inside the area to make it 2-1. The comeback was on.
Sensing a shift in momentum, Palmeiras pushed forward with intensity. And just minutes later, the equalizer arrived. Mauricio, left unmarked outside the box, struck a powerful right-footed effort that gave Ustari no chance. The ball flew into the top corner, silencing the Miami crowd and completing a remarkable comeback for the Brazilian side.
Though both teams had already done enough to progress, the final minutes still carried a competitive edge, with Palmeiras nearly stealing a winner in stoppage time. But Miami held firm, and the match ended 2-2 — a result that felt more like a win for Palmeiras and a wake-up call for the hosts.
The battle for first in Group A! #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/1n6XKivybV
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 24, 2025
For Palmeiras, the draw ensured they remained unbeaten in the group stage with one win and two draws. Topping Group A, they now face a familiar foe in Botafogo, another Brazilian side that advanced after stunning PSG in their own group. The matchup sets the stage for a highly anticipated all-Brazilian knockout clash.
As for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez now face their biggest test yet — a quarterfinal showdown with Paris Saint-Germain, the defending UEFA Champions League winners. Though they’ll enter the match as underdogs, Miami has shown flashes of brilliance, and the Messi vs. PSG narrative adds extra spice to the tie.
This group-stage finale had it all — goals, drama, injuries, missed chances, and late fireworks. What looked like a routine evening turned into a memorable battle, with Palmeiras showcasing their championship resilience and Miami learning a tough lesson in game management. The Club World Cup knockout stage is now set, and the action is only getting better.
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