Fresh off a landmark 2-1 win over FC Porto, the Herons host Brazil’s Palmeiras Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium (9 pm ET | DAZN.com) with another milestone within reach: becoming the first MLS side to qualify for the tournament’s knockout stages.

A win or a tie would mean advancement to the Round of 16, while even a loss could send Miami through if Al Ahly don’t beat Porto (and finish with a better goal difference) in Monday’s other Group A finale.

However, the Herons want to progress on their terms, looking to build additional momentum after earning the first-ever victory for an MLS side at the Club World Cup and becoming the first club in Concacaf history to defeat a European opponent in an official competition.

“We know that we can make it really far in this tournament if we believe,” defender Noah Allen told reporters on the eve of Miami’s decisive showdown with Palmeiras.

“… We’re going to believe that we can win and get something out of this game to advance to the next round.”

Tough test
For head coach Javier Mascherano, Palmeiras present arguably the toughest test yet for Miami at the competition, given their status as one of Brazil’s biggest and most storied clubs.

Their success has been particularly notable under current manager Abel Ferreira, who’s led the Verdão to two Brazilian Série A titles (2022, 23), two Copa Libertadores crowns (2020, 21) and a second-place finish at the 2021 Club World Cup.

“Clearly, it will be a very difficult game,” said Mascherano, a former Argentina international who played for Palmeiras’ main rival, Corinthians, from 2005-06. “We’re going to face a great team, a team that in recent years has won Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian league.

“They always play for important things in South America with a coach who’s been at the club for a long time. And it’s a club with [Brazilian] national team-level players,” such as Vitor Roque, Estêvão, Felipe Anderson and Raphael Veiga.

The stacked squad also includes Argentine striker Flaco López, who scored in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Al Ahly that pushed Palmeiras to the top of the Group A standings.

Messi factor
As dangerous as the Verdão are, Miami also boast a star-studded roster highlighted by none other than Lionel Messi.

The legendary Argentine No. 10 was in vintage form against Porto, carrying the team on his back for extended stretches of the match and building on Telasco Segovia’s 47th-minute equalizer with a stunning free kick that sealed the 2-1 come-from-behind win.

According to fellow FC Barcelona icon Jordi Alba, Messi gives the Herons an edge whenever he’s on the field.

“What’s there to say? In the end, he’s still a difference maker, he’s the greatest player in history,” said Alba, who came on as a late sub at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and projects as a possible starter on Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury.

“It’s a privilege to still be able to play with him.”

While Messi’s impact has been huge, Miami’s supporting cast has also contributed to this Club World Cup run.

Perhaps no contribution was more vital than Maxi Falcón’s goal-line clearance that prevented Porto from doubling their early lead before the Herons rallied to take all three points.

“Keep doing what we’ve been doing,” the Uruguayan center back answered when asked about the team’s mindset ahead of facing Palmeiras.

“I know it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re going to try to get a favorable result to qualify.”

Should the Herons get the job done, they’ll play in the Round of 16 against a to-be-determined Group B opponent on June 28 or 29.

“We’re on the verge of possibly one of the most important games in our club’s history,” said Mascherano.

“May that fill us with hope to play it and not be a burden. But rather a hope and a challenge for this group of players who are doing so well up to this point.”

Mlssoccer.com

Ten-man Real Madrid beat Mexican side Pachuca to take a big step towards the Fifa Club World Cup knockout stages.

Xabi Alonso’s side were reduced to 10 men early on in Charlotte when Raul Asencio fouled Salomon Rondon when the veteran former West Brom striker was through on goal.

Pachuca caused Real problems and had several chances and a penalty appeal rejected by the video assistant referee.

Real took the lead when Jude Bellingham ran on to a pass, carried the ball into the box and slotted a well-hit effort past the goalkeeper.

Arda Guler doubled the lead after Gonzalo Garcia laid off the ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass.

Federico Valverde stabbed home their third before Elias Montiel’s deflected effort gave Pachuca faint hope.

Real will be in the last 16 if they beat Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg on Friday (02:00 BST). Pachuca are eliminated.

What was the main talking point?
The scoreline would suggest a fairly comfortable Real Madrid win but that does not really tell the story. After drawing 1-1 in Xabi Alonso’s opening game in charge against Al-Hilal, this marked their first win but they were made to work for it on another hot day – about 33C in front of 70,248 fans.

Pachuca, who had an extra man for 83 minutes, had 25 shots to Real’s eight and were made to pay for missing chances.

Real looked shaky at the back – especially when Rondon was kept onside before Asencio brought him down – and were tested thoroughly by 2018-19 Newcastle team-mates Rondon and Kenedy.

But a win is a win and they will now be confident of progression – when they will hope to have Kylian Mbappe back after a bout of gastroenteritis.

What information do we collect from this quiz?
Which players stood out?
Without Thibaut Courtois in goal this could have been different. The Real keeper ended up making 10 saves, including a crucial double stop to deny Rondon and Alan Bautista – and a save to prevent Carlos Sanchez from making it 3-2.

Bellingham got his 15th goal of 2024-25 – or his first goal of 2025-26 – depending how you look at it.

England team-mate Alexander-Arnold did not do too much of note, on his second appearance for the club, but had a hand in Real’s second goal.

Bbc.com

Injured Inter trio Denzel Dumfries, Marcus Thuram and Davide Frattesi could be available for selection by Cristian Chivu for the Nerazzurri’s final Club World Cup group stage match against River Plate.

According to SkySport journalist Matteo Barzaghi, via InterNews, “Inter could recover some players for the match against River Plate, particularly Dumfries, Thuram and Frattesi. I don’t expect them to start, but they could be available.”

Inter were without the key trio when they scraped a 2-1 win against Urawa Red Diamonds on Saturday evening, two late goals from Lautaro Martinez and Valentin Carboni making the difference after the resilient Japanese side held out against Nerazzurri domination for large periods of the game.

Inter refuse to lose
This means that Chivu’s side sit second in their group on goal difference, level on points with River Plate who drew with Monterrey in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Commenting further on the Nerazzurri performance, Barzaghi said “We saw a team that wasn’t particularly sharp, but the real takeaway is that Inter refuse to lose. They’ve come from behind in both Club World Cup matches, showing real determination not to give up.

“Cristian Chivu, it must be said, is in a tough spot — this is the club’s 61st game of the season, and he hasn’t had a training camp or time to implement his ideas. There are some tactical signs of change, but it’ll take time before we can truly judge.”

The Nerazurri head into the match against River Plate knowing that a victory is essential if they wish to continue their Club World Cup campaign – yet a draw or defeat could be enough if Monterrey fail to beat Urawa Red Diamonds in their final game.

Football-italia.net