Lionel Messi Hat-Trick Pushes Inter Miami Into Club World Cup Knockouts After Late Drama Against Palmeiras

Messi's Hat-Trick Steers Inter Miami to Knockouts—But Not Without High Drama

Lionel Messi left the pitch frustrated, shaking his head at what could – and perhaps should – have been a straightforward win. On the surface, a hat-trick from Messi and a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras seems like a job well done for Inter Miami. But the story of the night was anything but calm, as Miami let slip a two-goal lead in the closing stages. Still, a crucial point means the American club, with their unbeaten Group A record, is heading to the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16.

This wasn’t just another group game. Expectations hung heavy over Messi from the opening whistle. Miami looked sharp early, thanks to clinical finishes from Tadeo Allende and veteran striker Luis Suárez, who paired well with his close friend Messi. Within 60 minutes, Inter Miami held what felt like a commanding 2-0 advantage. The confidence on the ball and slick interplay suggested Miami were turning into a strong contender for the latter stages of the tournament.

But Palmeiras refused to buckle. As the clock ticked down, defensive cracks appeared in Miami’s back line. In the final 15 minutes, Palmeiras pounced—capitalizing on lapses and quickly evening the score. Even Messi’s three goals, the kind of performance that usually guarantees victory, couldn’t mask the disappointment as Miami frittered away their lead. For the neutral, the drama added spark to a tense contest; for the Miami faithful, the final whistle brought relief rather than joy.

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The draw, nervy as it was, kept Miami atop their group and sets up the kind of clash soccer fans crave: Messi and his revamped Inter Miami squad up against Paris Saint-Germain, the current UEFA Champions League holders—Messi's old stomping ground. It’s the kind of matchup that even casual fans circle on the calendar. The next round now promises both personal and professional storylines, and there’s no shortage of intrigue as Messi prepares to take on former teammates like Mbappé and Marquinhos, and a club he once helped to the Champions League semifinals.

Jordi Alba, Miami's experienced left-back, summed up the mood. 'They’re the current best in the world,' he admitted about PSG. But his next words were revealing: 'Why not dream of beating the European champion?' There’s a sense in Miami’s camp that reaching the knockouts isn’t enough. The draw, and Messi’s show of frustration, highlighted that defensive issues could cost them dearly against a team stacked with world-class attackers.

For Messi, there’s personal pride and legacy on the line as he faces his ex-club on June 29, 2025. The storyline almost writes itself: the world’s most decorated player, now leading an ambitious American outfit, faces the reigning European giants. Miami’s squad is counting on Messi’s experience, hoping his spark can upstage PSG’s star-studded attack.

Defensive lapses aside, Inter Miami rides the wave of their FIFA Club World Cup progress into what’s arguably their toughest test yet. For now, Messi’s heroics keep the dream alive—but the stakes are about to get a lot higher.