Inter Miami vs Porto

Aiming to take charge of Group A and boost their chances of advancing to the FIFA Club World Cup knockout stages, Inter Miami face off against Porto at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday.

Both the Herons and the Dragons are tied with Al Ahly and Palmeiras in Group A, each earning just one point from their opening matches.

Inter Miami’s Club World Cup campaign kicked off with a scoreless draw against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly in Florida last weekend. In a lively, end-to-end clash, the Herons owed their point to Man of the Match Oscar Ustari, the 38-year-old goalkeeper who made eight saves, including a stunning penalty stop from Trezeguet just before halftime.

Head coach Javier Mascherano noted that “nerves and anxiety” affected his squad in the first half but praised their improved effort and mentality after the break. He believes replicating that second-half performance could see his team “defeat any opponent” in upcoming matches.

Having secured their Club World Cup spot by clinching the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, Inter Miami head into their final Group A games against Porto and Palmeiras as underdogs, likely needing at least one win to claim a top-two spot.

Playing in Atlanta could be a positive sign for the Herons, who notched a 2-1 MLS victory over Atlanta United at the same venue three months ago.

Porto, similarly, leaned on stellar goalkeeping to earn a point in their Group A opener, with Claudio Ramos shining in a 0-0 draw against Palmeiras in New Jersey on Sunday. Filling in for injured captain Diogo Costa, Ramos made four key saves, including a remarkable double stop to thwart Richard Rios and Mauricio in stoppage time of the first half.

Palmeiras recorded 39 touches in Porto’s penalty area, the highest the Portuguese side have conceded in a single game since last October. Coach Martin Anselmi emphasized post-match that Group A has “no easy teams” and his squad must deliver “top-level performances” to progress.

Porto qualified for the Club World Cup through the UEFA ranking pathway but endured a disappointing domestic season, missing out on major silverware and finishing third in the Primeira Liga for the second consecutive year.

Looking to put their lackluster league form behind them, the Dragons now face their first-ever competitive match against an American side. They enter Thursday’s game with a shaky record at neutral venues, having won only one of their last five such matches (D2 L2).