Javier Mascherano urges Inter Miami to embrace ‘historical’ chance

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano (right) will be counting on Lionel Messi to deliver in the key Club World Cup clash with Brazil’s Palmeiras. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Jun 23, 2025, 08:36 PM

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MIAMI – Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said the June 23 (June 24, Singapore time) meeting with Brazil’s Palmeiras in the final game of Club World Cup Group A is a historic moment for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club and says his team should relish the game.

Miami’s shock win over Porto, secured via a brilliant free kick from Lionel Messi, has left them with a chance of making it to the last 16 of the tournament.

And while the club, who only began playing five years ago, would advance with a draw, their Argentinian coach does not want his players leaving anything to chance.

“We’re facing possibly one of the most important games in the history of our club. Above all, let that fill us with enthusiasm to be able to play it, let it not be a burden but an excitement and a challenge for this group of players, who have been doing well up until now,” said Mascherano.

“It would be a big mistake if we went into it thinking about not playing it and only about the result. I think that when you think about the result, certain things can happen during the game that make it very difficult to get back into the game,” he said.

“In the end, our idea is to go and win the game like we’ve always done, like every time we go into a game, whether it’s in the Club World Cup, MLS, the (Concacaf) Champions League, or any other competition we’re involved in,” he said.

But while Miami, whose form in MLS was patchy heading into the tournament, may be confident after beating Portuguese opposition in Atlanta, Mascherano also cautioned against being too gung-ho.

“We clearly want to win it through a plan. We don’t go crazy, knowing that we have to minimise many of Palmeiras’ strengths and try to take advantage of and expose their weaknesses” he said.

Mascherano could be boosted by the return to full fitness of Spanish fullback Jordi Alba, who missed the draw against Al Ahly with injury and played the last 11 minutes against Porto.

“Physically, I feel good. Obviously, I was out for three weeks without playing, but honestly, it doesn’t feel like a big gap since there was an international break during that time. I didn’t really miss much. Now we’ll see what the coach decides,” he said.

“Playing against elite teams only sharpens us as a team, and if we reach the knockout rounds, just imagine how high our ceiling could be. I really believe we’re doing things the right way, and we have to keep it going,” he said.

Elsewhere in the US, Patrick Agyemang’s second-half goal led the national team to a 2-1 victory over Haiti on June 22 in Arlington, Texas, to secure the top spot in Group D of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

The US will meet Costa Rica, the second-placed team in Group A, in the quarter-finals.

Malik Tillman opened the scoring with his third goal of the tournament on 10th minutes, but a goalkeeping gaffe gifted Louicius Don Deedson the equaliser nine minutes later.

Also reaching the quarter-finals were Saudi Arabia, who drew 1-1 with Trinidad and Tobago to finish second in the group. Firas Al-Buraikan got the all-important equaliser after Dante Sealy had opened the scoring.

They will next face Group A winners and record nine-time champions Mexico. AFP, REUTERS

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