Palmeiras 2-2 Inter Miami Player Ratings: Suarez rated 9/10 as Inter Miami tops Group A

The final group stage fixture of Group A took us to Florida, where the fate of the two best teams in the competition was decided. Inter and Palmeiras finished with four points after two games, and a win or a draw was sufficient to seal the knockout berth for both teams. However, a loss for any team in this game meant relying upon the result in the fixture between Porto and Al Ahly. Lionel Messi's Inter Miami kick-started their campaign with a goalless draw against Al Ahly before winning their recent encounter against the Portuguese outfit. Palmeiras had the same story as well, but they were ahead of Miami by a slightly better goal difference.

The match began with Palmeiras exerting their dominance. Despite initial threats from the Brazilian side, the first goal was scored by Inter Miami. Luis Suarez's delivery was beautifully converted into a goal by Allende in the 16th minute, who helped the North American side take a crucial lead in a vital match.

Palmeiras kept pushing hard for the equaliser, and the match was entirely played in Inter Miami's half. Miami's captain, Lionel Messi, was booked by the referee in the 45th minute, and the referee blew his whistle to indicate the first half lead was retained by Inter Miami. Luis Suarez extended the lead to two in the 65th minute. But Palmeiras shocked everyone by making a comeback by scoring two goals in the last 10 minutes to level things and clinch a point.

Here are the between Palmeiras vs Inter Miami player ratings:

Palmeiras FC Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Weverton - 6/10

The veteran Brazilian custodian did everything to stop that first goal, but was unlucky to concede after Allende's brilliance and speed outpowered him.

Defenders

Marcos Rocha - 7/10

He was chosen in the starting lineup over the Argentine young prodigy. He had a fairly decent game on the flanks, but to initiate attacks from the right part of the pitch to constantly create opportunities.

Gustavo Gomez - 7/10

The Paraguayan international and Palmeiras' captain was seen intercepting all attacks from Miami to keep them in the match. However, after the second goal, the dip in momentum was vivid.

Murilo Cerqueria - 6/10

He was subbed off after a poor performance tonight in the heart of Palmeiras' defence.

Joaquin Piquerez - 6/10

The Uruguayan defender was a big disappointment tonight from the flanks. He failed to make entries into the final third with his runs, and neither did he contribute much in transition plays.

Midfielders

Richard Rios - 6.5/10

The Colombian midfielder had 50+ touches in the game, and his passing accuracy was mind-blowing to say the least.

Lucas Evangelista- 6.5/10

The central midfielder made a lot of entries into the final third and kept pushing harder for the equaliser.

Estevao - 7.5/10

The Brazilian teenager was one of the finest players for Palmeiras tonight and did a brilliant job of dominating the midfield for the Brazilian outfit.

Raphael Veiga - 7/10

The Brazilian midfield maestro created three really good chances. However, the strikers failed to capitalise properly.

Facundo Torres - 7/10

Returning after competing in the MLS for Orlando City, Torres had the best chance in the game for Palmeiras in the 32nd minute when his shot missed the woodwork by inches.

Strikers

Jose Lopez - 6/10

He was chosen over their regular starter and had a very poor display of footballing prowess in the front tonight.

Substitutes

SUB - Fuchs - 6/10

He was subbed on in the 19th minute and made some good chances with his creative footwork tonight.

SUB - Paulinho - 8.5/10

A proper super sub performance from Paulinho saw him score a goal for Palmeiras and bring them back to the game.

SUB - Mauricio - 6.5/10

SUB - Allan - 7/10

SUB - Roque - 6/10

Manager

Abel Ferreira - 7/10

His team dominated the game throughout the entirety of first 45 minutes. Despite being the better team on the pitch, his side conceded 2 goals, and his attack let him down until he made those substitutions.

Inter Miami Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Oscar Ustari - 6/10

The Argentine custodian almost fumbled up his team's two-goal lead. He could have done better between the sticks tonight.

Defenders

Marcelo Weigandt - 6.5/10

The Argentine right back had a decent game from the right flank, but failed to exert much resistance to Palmeiras' attacks generated from the right flank.

Ian Fray - 7/10

The 22-year-old Jamaican centre back also had a fairly decent outing tonight.

Maximiliano Falcon - 7.5/10

The Uruguayan centre back was determined to protect Miami's clean sheet. Despite multiple attacks by Palmeiras, Falcon looked stable in the defence to keep Palmeiras' strikers away from the goal.

Noah Allen - 8/10

The Greek left-back was nothing less than a menace from the left flank tonight. He made those accelerated runs from the flanks to initiate counterattacks and did well to track down as well.

Midfielders

Tadeo Allende - 8.5/10

The Italian-Argentine right winger's goal was a delight to watch. He literally surpassed the Brazilian side's defence to sprint with full speed and acceleration to net the first goal of the game.

Redondo - 7.5/10

He was brought into the starting lineup tonight for this crucial clash. He stood upon the trust and faith instilled by Mascherano and delivered a solid performance in the midfield tonight.

Sergio Busquets - 7/10

The former FC Barcelona legend hardly had much to do after the strikers created havoc in the second half.

Telasco Segovia - 7/10

The Colombian midfielder was subbed off after a decent outing tonight on the left flank alongside Luis Suarez.

Forwards

Lionel Messi - 8/10

Inter Miami's heartbeat delivered a solid captain's performance tonight. Even after Miami took the lead, he looked eager to extend their lead and had some brilliant chances at the beginning of the second half.

Luis Suarez - 9/10

The Uruguayan legend provided the much-needed assist for Tadeo Allende's goal to help Inter Miami secure a crucial lead in this game. He also scored a goal to double the advantage.

Substitutes

SUB - Jordi Alba - 6.5/10

The experienced Spanish wing-back was hardly seen making any impact despite getting enough opportunities and space.

SUB - Cremaschi - 6/10

He was removed from the starting lineup and was subbed on in the last 15 minutes. But he failed to help his team hold onto the two-goal advantage.

SUB - Rodriguez - 6/10

SUB - Picault - 6/10

Manager

Javier Mascherano - 7/10

Mascherano was smart enough to create opportunities despite repetitive attacks from Palmeiras. His substitutions were a bit disappointing as they fumbled badly in the later stages of the game.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to Luis Suarez