Abel likes to walk in the rain until the final stretch

At first glance, the unprecedented duel between Inter Miami and Palmeiras could only serve to decide who would go through from Group A together with FC Porto. At second glance, the clash between the two American teams was much more important than that and could even qualify both teams for the round of 16. With the spotlight on Leo Messi, the Argentine star had to face Estêvão, the young Palmeiras star who the Brazilian press nicknames “Messinho”. On one side was one of the best players of all time. On the other was one of the greatest promises of the moment, who is even leaving Verdão to join Chelsea.

Lionel Messi ???? Stephen Willian

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“I’ve been on the other side and I’ll tell you honestly. As a European, I didn’t like watching games in Brazil. Brazilian football is like watching a Formula 1 race in the rain. There are cars that can reach 350 km/h, but they can’t go over 200 km/h. Renewal? Everything points to yes, I think Leila [the president] has already said everything and so have I, but this is not the time. Now, we have to be completely focused and concentrated on the World Cup. Leila said very well, we’ll have time to sit down and talk about it. But the most important thing now is to continue enjoying the support of our fans and to carry that energy onto the pitch, because it infects our players and the entire coaching staff. Messi? If they don’t pass the ball to him, it’ll be easier. I think we have to look at this as an opportunity, as a challenge”, said Abel Ferreira in a press conference.

Club World Cup: Inter Miami vs Palmeiras

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At the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Javier Mascherano opted to put Tomás Aviles in defence, replacing Ian Fray, while Federico Redondo returned to the North American starting eleven, relegating Benja Cresmaschi to the bench. Abel opted to make three changes, with Marcos Rocha coming in on the right side of defence, replacing Agustín Giay. In midfield, former Estoril and V. Guimarães player Lucas Evangelista replaced Anibal Moreno, while Flaco López joined Estêvão in attack, replacing Vitor Roque.

Playing at home, Inter Miami came out swinging and, in a quick attack, Luis Suárez found Tadeo Allende just before the halfway line. The number 21 took the ball into the box and, with Weverton coming out, scored the opening goal (16′). The pig's response only came after half an hour of play, when Facundo Torres combined with Flaco and shot low, slightly wide (32′). In the second half, Messi tried from outside the box, which Weverton saved (49′) and, alone, Allende missed the second goal (52′). Shortly after, the Argentine star tried from distance, but the result was the same (58′). It was through a great run by Suárez that the 2-0 was made, with the forward getting past three defenders and shooting from below for the goal (65′).

Allende takes advantage of the distraction and scores the first goal of the match.

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Suárez works magic and FC Porto is grateful ????‍????

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Playing catch-up, Palmeiras reacted well and, after an excellent individual play, Estêvão finished wide (69'). However, in the final stretch of the match, the American defense failed to clear the ball, and the ball fell to Allan, who sent Paulinho through, with the forward firing a low cross into the goal (80'). Eight minutes later, not even an injury prevented Joaquín Piquerez from winning the ball and setting up Paulinho, who crossed into the area and, after another poor clearance, allowed Maurício to shoot for the final 2-2 (88').

Paulinho reduces. We have a game!

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Palmeiras draws at the last minute and returns to 1st place in Group A!

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The pearl

• What a night for Luis Suárez ! At 38 years old, the Uruguayan international continues to show that age is just a number and, against Palmeiras, he was once again decisive, scoring a memorable goal that shows what he is still capable of doing.

• Signed from Atlético Mineiro for €18 million, Paulinho arrived at Palmeiras with the label of a star, although it took him a while to show it on the pitch. The former Bayer Leverkusen player has been slow to establish himself at Verdão , but this Tuesday he made an important contribution to his team's draw, scoring, with great opportunism, the first Brazilian goal.

• Both teams knew beforehand that a draw would be the result that would see them both through to the knockout stages, and that was the case, even though the game went 87 minutes without a draw. With Maurício's goal, Palmeiras secured first place in Group A and will now face rivals Botafogo in the round of 16. Inter Miami, meanwhile, maintained second place and will face PSG.

• In a balanced group, Palmeiras and Inter Miami defied FC Porto's theoretical favoritism and showed that they are the strongest teams, even though the Brazilians tended to perform below expectations in the first half, then reacted in the second half. It happened against FC Porto, it happened again against Al Ahly and it was repeated this Tuesday. What is certain is that, despite the initial slight lethargy, Abel Ferreira's team secured one win and two draws in the three games played.