Palmeiras and Inter Miami secured their places in the Round of 16 of the Club World Cup after a 2-2 draw at the Hard Rock Stadium. The result sees the Brazilian side finish top of Group A, with Inter Miami taking second place, thanks in part to Luis Suárez’s first goal of the tournament. Meanwhile, Porto and Al Ahly played out a dramatic 4-4 draw that ultimately eliminated both sides.
INTER MIAMI 2–2 PALMEIRAS
Palmeiras had the first real chance of the game within four minutes, but it was Inter Miami who struck first. In the 15th minute, Allende opened the scoring on a counterattack, finishing off a clever chest pass from Suárez. Inter Miami doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Suárez beat two defenders and fired in a powerful left-footed shot, marking his first goal of the tournament.
Despite trailing 2-0, Palmeiras mounted a late comeback. Paulinho pulled one back in the 80th minute, and Mauricio equalised seven minutes later. A crucial double save by Ustari in stoppage time ensured the draw, which was enough to send both teams through. With five points each, Palmeiras top the group on goal difference, while Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi—celebrating his 38th birthday—settle for second.
PORTO 4–4 AL AHLY
At the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Porto and Al Ahly delivered a thrilling encounter, though the result ultimately ended both teams’ campaigns. Al Ahly took the lead in the 15th minute through Abou Ali, who scored with a precise left-footed strike. He found the net again in the 22nd minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Just a minute later, Porto equalised as Rodrigo Mora weaved through the defence and slotted home.
Before the break, Al Ahly regained the lead from the penalty spot, with Abou Ali converting to complete a first-half brace. The second half began at a frantic pace: William Gomes scored a stunning equaliser for Porto in the 50th minute, only for Abou Ali to head in his third goal just moments later. The scoring continued as Samu levelled for Porto at 3-3 from a corner in the 53rd minute.
Al Ahly responded again, going 4-3 ahead through a superb strike by Ben Romdhane in the 64th minute. However, Pepê salvaged a point for Porto with an 89th-minute goal, sealing a 4-4 final scoreline. Both teams end the group stage with two points, but Porto finish third on goal difference. Nonetheless, both sides exit the tournament.
