Messi, Inter Miami face Palmeiras with both eyeing Club World Cup knockout stage

Miami Herald

7 hours ago

Brazilian soccer fans have been packing Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro for Club World Cup watch parties since the tournament began, and Palmeiras fans brought their carnival to Hard Rock Stadium Monday night for the decisive Group A match against Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates.
The smell of grilled Brazilian steak filled the air in the parking lots before the match. A sea of green filled the east side of the stadium and there were a lot of green shirts mixed with Inter Miami pink No. 10 jerseys throughout the building. Miami's 'La Familia' supporters' groups cheered from the west stands with their banners and drums.
Once again, Hard Rock Stadium drew a large, lively crowd after averaging 60,626 fans through the first four games.
Both teams aimed for a win to secure first place in the group, but a tie was enough to send both through to the Round of 16 next weekend. FC Porto and Al Ahly played simultaneously in the other Group A match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, hanging on to slim hopes of staying alive.
Palmeiras and Miami were tied on points with four apiece heading into Monday's game, and the Brazilian team held the edge with a plus-two goal differential to Miami's plus-one. Porto was third with one point and minus-one differential, while Al Ahly was fourth with one point and minus-two.
A Miami win guarantees a first-place finish with seven points and the team would travel to Philadelphia to play another Brazilian team, Botafogo, at noon on Saturday. A tie would clinch second place in the group and Miami would play Group A winner Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday at noon in Atlanta.
Inter Miami could even advance with a loss if Porto wins or ties Al Ahly. The first tiebreaker in the Club World Cup is head-to-head, and Miami beat Porto, so it holds the edge. If Al Ahly wins and Miami loses, it comes down to goal differential because the two teams tied in the tournament opener.
Although Miami entered Monday's game with excellent odds of making the knockout round, coach Javier Mascherano insisted his team was going for a win, not a tie.
'We're facing possibly one of the most important games in the history of our club and that should fill us with enthusiasm,' Mascherano said. 'We should not let it not be a burden, but rather but an exciting challenge for this group of players who are on a good run through the first two games.
'It would be a big mistake if we went into it thinking about not playing it and only about the result. I think that when you think about the result, things can happen during the game that make it very difficult to get back into the game. In the end, our idea is to go and win the game like we've always done, like every time we go into a game, whether it's in the Club World Cup, MLS, the Champions Cup, or any other competition we're involved in.'
Inter Miami's Starting XI had two changes from the Porto game: Tomas Aviles started at center back in place of injured Ian Fray and Fede Redondo started instead of Benja Cremaschi in the midfield.
The lineup: Oscar Ustari, Marcelo Weigandt, Aviles, Maxi Falcon, Noah Allen, Tadeo Allende, Redondo, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia, Messi, and Luis Suarez. Jordi Alba was on the bench for the second game in a row as he is making his way back from a leg injury.
Palmeiras' starters included: Weverton, Murilo, Gustavo Gomez, Joaquin Piquerez, Marcos Rocha, Raphael Veiga, Lucas Evangelista, Richard Rios, Jose Lopez, Facundo Torres and 18-year-old Estevao, who is headed to Chelsea after this tournament. The English club reportedly paid a $39.3 million transfer fee with another $26.6 million in performance-based incentives.
Estavao made his club debut at age 16 and last season scored 13 goals with nine assists.
Asked about the opportunity to face Messi, Estevao said: 'I am very excited. I'll be playing against one of the greatest football players in history, so being on the pitch with him will be an incredible and unforgettable experience for me.'
Palmeiras is Brazil's most successful domestic club with a record 12 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, four Copas do Brasil, one Copa dos Campeões, and one Supercopa do Brasil.
Monday's 9 p.m. game was being broadcast on TBS and DAZN.com
Among the guests at the stadium were some Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers players, who were scheduled to appear on the field at halftime along with the trophy a day after the championship parade in Fort Lauderdale.