Football review Inter Miami vs Palmeiras: Messi opens the door to heaven

Football prediction Inter Miami vs Palmeiras: Messi's Inter Miami needs a draw with Palmeiras to lead each other into the round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Lionel Messi looks to the heavens. After helping Inter Miami make history at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup - a 2-1 comeback to beat Porto - the Argentine star and his teammates are aiming for a ticket to the round of 16.

Messi was once again the centre of attention. In the opening match, which ended in a goalless draw with Al Ahly, Leo played brilliantly but his teammates disappointed.

Messi awaits a new page in history with Inter Miami. Photo: EFE

In the match against Porto, Messi punished his European opponents with a spectacular performance, with a classy free-kick making the difference.

After conquering Atlanta, Messi led the "Flamingos" back to Miami to play the "final" of Group A Club World Cup against Palmeiras.

At Hard Rock Stadium, the team led by Javier Mascherano wanted to affirm that the impressive performance against Porto was not a temporary moment, thanks to Messi alone or the opponent's subjectivity.

This is the time for Inter Miami to prove that they are not FIFA's guests because of Messi's image (controversially awarded the host position), but can compete fairly with the strongest teams.

Palmeiras are one such powerhouse, having won the Copa Libertadores twice in the last six occasions that Brazilian football has dominated the South American club stage – the others being Flamengo (2), Fluminense and defending champions Botafogo.

After three matches, both teams have four points. Palmeiras lead the group thanks to a better goal difference. The draw is enough for both teams to advance to the knockout stage.

For the young Inter Miami , a ticket to the next round would be a big step in the journey to affirm their international position. Moreover, if they go further, they will also be the only representative of American football left.

Palmeiras is one of the powers of South American football. Photo: SEP

The winner automatically advances to the round of 16 as group winners. Conversely, a defeat means a high risk of elimination if Porto beats Al Ahly in the same match (or vice versa, Al Ahly wins big against the Portuguese representative).

That is why experts are talking about “biscotto” (an Italian term, widely used since the 1980s, referring to matches in which two teams play to achieve a favorable draw). This possibility is very high.

However, above all, fans still expect an eye-catching match, and a competition between Messi and Estevao - the Brazilian football prodigy who will join Chelsea after the tournament.

Moreover, Messi wants to show himself on the occasion of his 38th birthday (the match takes place at 9pm on June 23, local time; it ends just 1 hour before Leo's birthday on June 24). So even in the "biscotto" scenario, the match is still worth looking forward to.

Expected lineup:

Inter Miami (4-4-2): Ustari; Aviles, Falcon, David Martinez, Allen; Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Luis Suarez.

Palmeiras (3-4-2-1): Weverton; Giay, Gustavo Gomez, Murilo; Torres, Rios, Moreno, Piquerez; Estevao, Mauricio; Vitor Roque.

Match odds: Palmeiras handicap 1/4

Goal Odds: 2 1/4

Prediction: Draw 1-1 .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-inter-miami-vs-palmeiras-fifa-club-world-cup-2414271.html