Palmeiras also further
© Imago
Lionel Messi reached the round of 16 at the club world championship in the USA on his 38th birthday. The team of the Argentinian superstars played a 2-0 lead against Palmeiras from Brazil in the final group game, but moved into the KO round through the 2: 2 (1: 0) as second in the table and the opponent. In contrast, FC Porto and Al Ahly FC, which separated 4: 4, have been eliminated. In the round of 16, Messi is dealing with his ex-club Paris Saint-Germain. Palmeiras meets Botafogo in the Brazilian duel.
Messi’s compatriot Tadeo Allende brought the Americans 1-0 in the lead after passing by striker veteran Luis Suárez (16th minute). The loan from the Spanish club Celta Vigo gave the chance to 2-0 (52nd) shortly after the change of sides. A long -range shot from Messi also went just above the Brazilian gate (58th).
The Uruguayer Suarez provided the second goal: the former striker from FC Barcelona completed as in the best of time with a shot in the short corner to 2: 0 (65.). But Messi and Co. played the lead in the final phase. The previously substituted Paulinho (80th) and Mauricio (87th) were able to equalize the match and ensured that the Brazilians go into the round of 16 thanks to the better goal difference to Miami.
“We left our traces as a competitive team,” said Suárez with satisfaction. “It is good for us to see where the border for the MLS really lies. That is the message that we want to convey. In addition, we have to prepare for what is coming. We know that it will be a challenge as it was.”
In the second game of Group A, FC Porto and Al Ahly separated from Egypt 4: 4 (1: 2). Wessam Abou Ali scored triple for Al Ahly (15./45.+2/foulelfmeter/51.). Porto was able to compensate for by Rodrigo Mora (23rd), William Gomes (50th) and Samu AgeHowa (53.). Pepê also had the right answer for Porto on the 4: 3 by Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhan (64.). For both teams, the club World Cup is over with two points each.
Club World Cup: PSG and Botafogo in the round of 16, Atlético travels despite victory
Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazilian surprise team Botafogo FC have meanwhile qualified for the round of 16. PSG’s star ensemble won 2-0 (1-0) in Seattle against the Seattle Sunders and secured victory in the final table with six points on the last matchday of Group B. In the parallel game, Botafogo in Pasadena could even afford a 0-1 defeat against Atlético Madrid in order to also move into the KO phase with six points.
After a cautious initial phase, the French took control of the game. Désiré Doué failed in front of 50,626 spectators in the Lumen Field in the 12th and 30th minute to Seattle’s Swiss goalkeeper Stefan Frei. In the 35th minute there was a curious lead for the team of coach Luis Enrique. The Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could not avoid the shot of his team -mate Vitinha and falsified the ball with his shoulder into the goal of the sounders. The former Dortmund Achraf Hakimi (66th) scored the 2-0 final score for the French champion.
Botafogo, currently only eighth in the local league, lost 0-1 to the top team of Atlético Madrid in Pasadena, California, and still moved into the co-phase of the club World Cup. Antoine Griezmann (87th) scored the goal for the team of Atlético coach Diego Simeone in front of 22,992 spectators at the Rose Bowl Stadium. The disappointed Spaniards have to go home as the third in the table (also six points). The decisive factor for this was ultimately the 0: 4 opening bankruptcy against Paris, which ended up in the end of three between the tied and in direct comparison of the three teams.