Atletico Madrid Bow Out; Messi Fails to Inspire Inter Miami in Club World Cup Draw

Club World Cup: Atletico Dumped Out, Inter Miami Surrender Lead But Scrape Through.

A night of high drama at the Club World Cup saw big names falter and narratives flip, as Atletico Madrid crashed out despite a win, and Inter Miami nearly threw it all away before securing a nervy route to the knockouts.

Inter Miami Blow Lead but Sneak into Knockouts
At DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami looked to be in control after first-half goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez gave them a 2-0 cushion over Palmeiras. But the Brazilian giants weren’t done. Late strikes from Paulinho and Mauricio—both inside the final 10 minutes—stunned the home crowd and ended the match 2-2.

Despite the collapse, Inter Miami advanced to the Round of 16, edging past Al-Ahly and Porto, who drew 4-4 in a chaotic final group fixture. Both Inter and Palmeiras finished with five points, but the Brazilians topped Group A on goal difference.

“It’s a strange feeling,” said Miami coach Javier Mascherano. “We had it in our hands. But if you’d told me before the tournament we’d play like this against a team like Palmeiras, I would’ve gladly taken it.”

Lionel Messi was quiet for much of the evening but nearly lit up the stadium with a dipping volley that flew just over. Suárez, largely anonymous before his goal, found the net from a tight angle to briefly double the lead.

Palmeiras will now face Botafogo in a mouthwatering all-Brazilian clash. Inter Miami’s reward? A blockbuster showdown with Paris Saint-Germain—Messi’s old club.

Atletico Madrid Win, But It’s Not Enough
In one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, Atletico Madrid bowed out despite beating Botafogo 1-0. A 4-0 thrashing at the hands of PSG in their opener meant goal difference worked against them in the final count.

PSG, meanwhile, finished their Group B campaign with a 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders, courtesy of goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi. The Sounders exited the tournament without a point, despite hosting all three of their group games.

Atletico’s early exit is a bitter pill for Diego Simeone’s side, who had hoped to challenge for global honours. Instead, they join a growing list of European clubs under pressure—Chelsea, too, face a make-or-break fixture after their loss to Flamengo in Group D.