Messi’s Inter Miami drew 2-2 against Palmeiras, securing qualification for the knockout stage for both teams. Despite winning their match, Atlético Madrid was eliminated.
Messi was influential in Inter Miami’s match against Palmeiras at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on June 23, 2025.
This result sets up a last-16 encounter for Inter Miami against PSG, Messi’s former club.
Miami finished second in Group A, while Palmeiras claimed top spot after overcoming a two-goal deficit late.
Palmeiras will face fellow Brazilian side Botafogo in the next round.
Goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez had positioned Miami for a second tournament win. However, Palmeiras scored twice in the final ten minutes through Paulinho and Mauricio to secure the draw and top place.
European champions PSG secured a spot in the round of 16 with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders.
This sets up a reunion between PSG and their former star, Messi, now playing for Inter Miami.
PSG recovered from their surprise loss to Botafogo with their win over Seattle. Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi secured top spot in Group B after Botafogo’s late loss to Atlético. PSG coach Luis Enrique acknowledged challenges with the pitch conditions but praised his team’s adaptability.
Top scorer Ousmane Dembélé missed his third consecutive game due to injury.
The upcoming Miami vs. PSG match will also see Messi, Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Miami coach Javier Mascherano face their former Barcelona manager, Luis Enrique.
“We’re talking about the champions of Europe. We know many of their players and their coach, who I was lucky enough to have coach me, and I’ve always said he is the best in the world. I will connect with good friends there but once the game starts, we will compete, try to beat them, and why can’t we do it? This is football,” Jordi Alba stated
“It’s a historic night for MLS, because we are into the best 16 teams in the world. All of the MLS has to be proud of Inter Miami,” Machirano emphasized.
In other results Porto and Al Ahly were eliminated following a thrilling 4-4 draw. The result was insufficient for either team to surpass Palmeiras or Miami in the standings.
Pepe’s 89th-minute goal secured the draw for Porto. Wessam Abou Ali scored a hat-trick for Al Ahly in front of 39,893 spectators at MetLife Stadium.
In group B; Atlético Madrid defeated Botafogo 1-0 thanks to an 87th-minute goal by Antoine Griezmann. However, Atlético was eliminated because Botafogo advanced due to Atlético’s heavy 4-0 loss to PSG in their opening match. Atlético needed a larger victory margin.
“We’re frustrated that we didn’t qualify — we had six points… At the end of the day we were punished because it wasn’t enough.” said Simeone expressed frustrations
Atlético players also complained about denied penalty appeals.
