Lionel Messi and Inter Miami advance to the knockouts of the Club World Cup despite collapse to Palmeiras

Inter Miami was set to face Botafogo in Philadelphia after Luis Suarez scored a sublime goal to put The Herons up 2-0 on Brazilian giants Palmeiras.

What followed was a stunning collapse which will see them reach the knockout stages – but just barely as the finale of Group A featured two stunning results.

Inter Miami gave up two late goals to the Alviverde to draw 2-2 and let slip the chance to win Group A.

Now, that disaster will set up one of the most exciting matchups in the Round of 16: Messi, traveling to Atlanta, to take on his former club Paris Saint-Germain.

Briefly, with the score even in the late stages of the match and Palmeiras on the front foot, there was fear that Miami could be eliminated and Egyptian side Al-Ahly could take their place.

However, with the game going final as a draw, that hope for The Red Giant died out. Credit to them and opponents Porto, who played an enthralling 4-4 draw in New Jersey deserving of knockout spots for both sides.

Miami conceded two goals in the final ten minutes to lead to a 2-2 draw with Palmeiras

That match coincided with a high-octane 4-4 draw between group mates Porto and Al-Ahly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, leaving neither side advancing to the knockouts

It was a tense finish for an Inter Miami team that took advantage of an early mistake from the Palmeiras backline which allowed Suarez to thread a perfect through ball for Tadeo Allende to go up 1-0 inside of 16 minutes.

Meanwhile, up at MetLife Stadium, Al-Ahly took a 2-1 lead off a penalty in the 45th minute – which could have set them up for advancement if they could defend their own net while bagging a few more goals.

Bag a few more goals, they did. Defend their own net, they did not. Porto ended up scoring three in the second half to prevent the Egyptian giants from even considering progression to the knockout stages for more than a brief second.

It was some remarkable back-and-forth though. William Gomes’ equalizer for the Portuguese champions was met not even 20 seconds later by a hat-trick clinching effort from Palestinian striker Wessam Abou Ali to go up 3-2.

Less than a minute-and-a-half later, Porto equalized once again – this time from Zaidu Sanusi.

Meanwhile, down at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Suarez bagged one of the most impressive goals of this tournament so far. 

The Uruguayan managed to fight his way through two tackles while still maintaining possession, watched his dribble bounce off the leg of a Brazilian center back and somehow into his path before delivering a left-footed lash to ripple the net.

It seemed almost destined at that point that Miami would top the group. Not even the fourth and final Al-Ahly goal of the night scored mere moments later could put the pressure on.

Luis Suarez bagged Miami’s second goal, one of the best this tournament has seen so far

The Uruguayan scythed through the defense before lashing at the ball to go up 2-0

But across a span of eight minutes, goals from Paulinho and Mauricio (facing camera) gave the Brazilian side a draw to win them Group A and set up a match with countrymen Botafogo

And up until the 80th minute, that would remain the case. 

A slide rule pass from wing back Allan – interestingly deployed in midfield – was just enough to be out of reach for the Miami backline, yet perfectly found the boot of former Bayer Leverkusen striker Paulinho to tap it past the outstretched arms of Inter keeper Oscar Ustari to make it 2-1.

Despite giving up the single goal, Miami still held firm control on the top of the group and managed to control all but one of the Brazilian side’s threats.

That was, until the 88th minute when Miami’s Uruguayan center back Maximiliano Falcon delivered a headed clearance on a cross to serve the ball up on a silver platter for midfielder Mauricio to tee up. The Brazilian ripped a thunderbolt into the net to draw honors even.

The green-and-white majority in Miami tried their best to power on their side to a victory, but a decisive third goal never came. Safety for Messi meant peril for Al-Ahly – even when a headed goal from Porto winger Pepe came after confirmation of those moving on.

Now, Gianni Infantino must be smiling at his luck. It sets up two matches which should provide theatrics he’ll greatly enjoy.

On the one hand, you have two Brazilian sides meeting in Philadelphia to potentially provide the best atmosphere the tournament will witness thus far.

On the other, Messi will be forced to play his former side and the reigning European champions in a match built to draw eyeballs on social media.