Lionel Messi will face former club Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Club World Cup after Inter Miami secured a 2-2 draw with Palmeiras to advance from Group A.

A lively contest at the Hard Rock Stadium, watched by 60,914 fans, saw Inter Miami race into a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suarez. But late goals from Paulinho and Mauricio earned Palmeiras a share of the points and top spot in the group on goal difference.

The draw was enough to send both sides through to the knockout stages, with Inter Miami finishing second to set up an enticing reunion between Messi and his former club. The Argentina forward played for PSG from 2021 to 2023 before his high-profile move to Major League Soccer.

At 38 years old, Luis Suarez may no longer be the dynamic force he once was, but the veteran forward remains a decisive figure. He was directly involved in both Inter Miami goals—first providing the assist for Allende's opener by expertly chesting the ball into his path, then scoring a sublime second with a left-footed half-volley from a tight angle.

Though Palmeiras launched a spirited comeback in the final ten minutes, Suarez's contributions earned him the player-of-the-match award and ensured Inter Miami continued their impressive run in the tournament.

Elsewhere in Group A, Al Ahly and Porto played out a dramatic 4-4 draw at MetLife Stadium. The Egyptian side thought they had snatched victory when Mohamed Romdhane put them 4-3 ahead in the 64th minute following a hat-trick from Wessam Ali.

However, Pepe struck a last-gasp equaliser in the 89th minute for Porto, capping off a wild contest. Despite the entertainment, both teams bowed out of the competition, each finishing with two points.

When FIFA awarded the host nation’s qualification spot to Inter Miami, it sparked debate. Critics claimed it was a move designed to guarantee Lionel Messi’s participation, leveraging his global stardom to boost the tournament's profile.

However, Inter Miami have vindicated that decision by becoming the only American club to reach the knockout phase, with Los Angeles FC and the Seattle Sounders both eliminated. With a last-16 clash now confirmed against Champions League winners PSG, the spectacle FIFA likely hoped for has materialised.

Head coach Javier Mascherano, reflecting on the achievement, said: "We've achieved the goal we set for ourselves at the start of this tournament, which was to qualify for the round of 16. Despite the fact we're facing arguably the best team in Europe, the Champions League winners, we'll try to approach it with the same humility and the same seriousness. If there's one thing this sport has shown us, it's that anything can happen in a match."

Paris Saint-Germain sealed their place in the last 16 with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders, securing top spot in Group B. While the French side’s form has been solid, the looming fixture against Messi’s Inter Miami promises to be their sternest test yet.

The tie carries extra intrigue as Messi will line up against a club where he enjoyed two prolific seasons, adding further star power to what is already one of the most anticipated fixtures of the tournament.

Lionel Messi has now progressed from the group stage in all 33 tournaments he has participated in throughout his career—a testament to his consistency and influence at the highest level.

Inter Miami will take on PSG in Atlanta on 29 June in a blockbuster last-16 showdown. One day earlier, Palmeiras will meet fellow Brazilian side Botafogo in Philadelphia in an all-Brazilian affair.

With the knockout phase now set, fans can expect even more drama, quality, and storylines as the Club World Cup continues to deliver on its global promise.