The highly anticipated clash between Inter Miami and FC Porto in Group A of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is set to take place on Thursday, June 19, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. With both teams looking for their first win of the tournament after drawing their opening matches, the stakes are high in what is effectively a must-not-lose situation for both sides.

Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, comes into the match after a 0-0 draw against Al Ahly. Despite dominating parts of the game, they couldn't find a breakthrough, and had to thank goalkeeper Oscar Ustari for a string of saves, including a penalty stop, to maintain parity. Porto also had a goalless draw against Palmeiras in their opening game, highlighting the tight and competitive nature of Group A.

The pressure is on Inter Miami to perform, especially with the weight of expectations that comes with having Lionel Messi in their ranks. After a stellar 2024 season that saw him named league MVP and his team claim the Supporters' Shield, Messi's presence is expected to elevate the team and guide them to success in the Club World Cup. Securing a spot in this tournament was not without some controversy. Some have suggested that Inter Miami's qualification was heavily influenced by Messi's presence, but the team's Supporters’ Shield title and Messi’s impressive individual performance speak to their merit-based inclusion.

Coach Javier Mascherano is expected to rely on his core group of veterans, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, alongside promising young talents like Tomás Avilés, Federico Redondo, and Benjamín Cremaschi. A projected starting XI for Inter Miami could look like this: Ustari; Fray, Avilés, Falcón, Alba; Busquets, Redondo, Allende; Messi, Suárez, Segovia. The return of Jordi Alba from a hamstring injury will provide a boost to the team's defense and overall experience.

FC Porto, known for their tactical precision and disciplined backline, will pose a tough challenge for Inter Miami. With key players like Samu Aghehowa, Rodrigo Mora, and Fábio Vieira, Porto has the ability to disrupt Miami's rhythm and capitalize on any defensive vulnerabilities. Martin Anselmi, Porto's coach since January, has implemented a well-defined system that has made them a formidable opponent.

Sergio Busquets has called on Inter Miami to play with "desire and ambition" against Porto, acknowledging the difficulty of the match but expressing confidence in the team's experience and quality. He emphasized the importance of teamwork, solidity, and keeping a clean sheet.

Both Inter Miami and Porto are level on points with Al Ahly and Palmeiras in Group A, meaning a win in this match would provide a significant advantage in the race to qualify for the knockout stage. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 PM ET.