MIAMI GARDENS, FL — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are back in action Monday night with a chance to advance to the FIFA Club World Cup knockout stage.
Messi is expected to play as Inter Miami faces Brazilian club Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium, with one foot practically in the next round. Inter Miami can advance with a win, draw or a loss – but would need some help with the latter option.
Also playing at the same time in Group A: FC Porto (Portugal) vs. Al Ahly (Egypt) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
If Inter Miami concludes the group stage with a win or draw against Palmeiras, both clubs will advance to the Round of 16. It’s also possible Messi could face one of his former teams – Paris Saint-Germain – in the knockout stage.
Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s match, including losing scenarios to advance, and stay tuned here for live updates from USA TODAY Sports during both Group A matches.
Inter Miami and Palmeiras play at 9 p.m. ET (10 p.m. in Argentina and Brazil). The Porto-Al Ahly match also begins at the same time.
The Inter Miami-Palmeiras match is available on TBS and TruTV in English, and available to live stream on DAZN. The Porto-Al Ahly match is also available to live stream on DAZN.
Messi is expected to play. His status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup an hour before the match.
Messi will turn 38 on June 24, just hours after Inter Miami faces Palmeiras.
How’s this for a juicy Club World Cup storyline? It’s possible Messi could face one of his former teams in the knockout stage. Group B has been decided Monday, before Group A will be settled.
Paris Saint-Germain has won Group B after a 2-0 win over MLS side Seattle Sounders, while Atlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann scored in the 87th minute to push Brazilian side Botafogo to Group B runner-up.
It’s a disappointing result for Botafogo, which upset PSG 1-0 in their second group-stage match. But both teams will advance.
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Will Inter Miami advance in FIFA Club World Cup? Time, TV, how to watch Messi play tonight – USA Today
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