Inter Miami Makes Club World Cup History With Draw Against Palmeiras
If there was ever a moment to prove they belong on the world stage, Inter Miami seized it. On a sweltering night at Hard Rock Stadium, the Herons became the first MLS team to qualify for the knockout phase of the FIFA Club World Cup—wrapping things up with a wild 2-2 draw against Brazil’s Palmeiras that had absolutely everything. Miami’s run wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to make club and league history.
The action started early. Tadeo Allende, the tireless Argentine midfielder, broke open the match in the 16th minute after a clever chest pass from Luis Suárez. With composure rare for a stage this size, Allende blew past Palmeiras’ keeper Weverton, coolly slotting the ball home for the opening goal as the crowd erupted. That early strike set the tone: Inter Miami planned to attack, not just defend and hope.
Even though Palmeiras owned more of the ball, Miami’s attack looked sharp when it did get possession. The team’s tempo upped a notch in the second half, and all eyes were on Luis Suárez. The Uruguayan legend, already a fan favorite in Miami, delivered a flash of his old Barcelona brilliance in the 65th minute—wrangling a loose ball, shrugging off two defenders, and lasering it into the top corner. At 2-0, Inter Miami’s fans started to believe a win was on the cards.
Late Palmeiras Goals Spice Up Qualification Drama
No one at the stadium got to relax. Palmeiras, seasoned in big pressure matches, wasn’t about to roll over and miss a spot in the next round. Paulinho’s header cut the lead in the 80th minute, igniting panic and hope in equal measure. Then came the gut-punch. With just a handful of minutes left in regulation, Maurício fired a shot through a tangle of legs, leveling the game at 2-2 as Inter Miami scrambled to regroup defensively.
While Miami’s backline looked shaky in those closing moments—leaving coach and fans frustrated—their earlier group-stage work paid off. A win, a pair of draws, and five total points were enough to give them second place in Group A. That’s all they needed to reach the Round of 16. Maybe not pretty, but it’s a milestone the Herons and their supporters won’t soon forget.
There’s no rest for the ambitious. The draw sets up an even bigger test: Inter Miami’s next opponent is French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain. That match is set for June 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a showdown that’s just about as glamorous as it gets at this level. With Lionel Messi in the Miami squad and European talent on the other side, the world will be watching.
The Herons’ success has already forced schedule changes back home—their next MLS match against Atlanta United has been postponed to make room for this giant Club World Cup tie. For Miami, the dream is alive, the pressure is real, and every performance keeps stacking up the storylines. No other MLS club has done it before. Inter Miami is living it right now.
