2025 Club World Cup: Inter Miami coach, Mascherano reacts as they qualify for last 16

Head coach Javier Mascherano expressed satisfaction with Inter Miami’s performance after the MLS side secured a place in the last 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following a 2-2 draw against Brazilian giants Palmeiras on Monday.

Miami looked poised for a famous win after goals from Tadeo Allende and Luis Suárez gave them a 2-0 lead. However, late strikes from Paulinho and Mauricio ensured the spoils were shared at the final whistle.

Despite the late collapse, the result confirmed both teams’ progression from the group stage.

“It was a great game from us; it’s difficult to play against one of the best teams in South America,” Mascherano said post-match.
“Maybe at the end we had the game in our hands so the feeling is strange, but before the start of the tournament, if someone told me we were going to have this kind of performance against these kinds of teams, I would have signed it.”

Inter Miami finished second in their group behind Palmeiras and will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 for a place in the quarter-finals.