Mascherano: We will try to prove our worth against PSG

• Inter Miami reach FIFA Club World Cup knockout stages
• South Florida club are MLS's only representative in last 16
• They will face Paris Saint-Germain after suffering late draw against Palmeiras

Inter Miami CF's progress to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ knockout stages has come with a bittersweet aftertaste.

The Major League Soccer (MLS) team were just 10 minutes away from securing an emphatic 2-0 victory against SE Palmeiras to secure a date in the Round of 16 with Botafogo. Instead, they gave away two late goals to slip to second in Group A, meaning they will now face the mighty Paris Saint-Germain.

Inter Miami are though understandably delighted about becoming MLS's first and only representative to reach the last 16 of the global showpiece. And they did it in some style, going unbeaten in the group stages with a stirring comeback victory against Porto FC coupled with draws against Al Ahly FC and Palmeiras.

What is all the more remarkable about their efforts is compatriots Seattle Sounders FC were eliminated after losing all three of their group games, while LAFC are also out after losing their opening two fixtures.

But Inter Miami have distinctly mixed feelings over their 2-2 draw with Palmeiras at the Hard Rock Stadium as they set up a tussle with the treble-winning PSG, which will take place in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday 29 June.

"We are disappointed because we had the game in our hands. We couldn't close the game. But it was going to be difficult because (we were facing) a team that play very well with a lot of quality and is one of the best teams in South America. So now we are thinking about the next step," Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano told FIFA.

Mascherano knows just how tough the challenge will be of facing a PSG team who are coming off the back of winning their first UEFA Champions League title and who did well to recover from defeat against Botafogo to qualify for the second round. "We know that we are going to face maybe the best team in Europe. It will be difficult but we will try to do our best," Mascherano added. "We are going to try to show our quality and to try to prove our worth."

The Argentinian made a point of noting the importance of Inter Miami's progress to the Round of 16. "It is historic for MLS to have a team through to the last 16. We are one of the best 16 teams in the world so we will look to continue," he said.

Mascherano's mixed emotions were shared in the Inter Miami dressing room, with defender Noah Allen eloquently expressing how the team is feeling.

"It is bittersweet. We just let it slip and we are just a bit disappointed in ourselves. They are an amazing team and one of the best in South America for a reason. They showed it, they kept pushing and kept defending. Ultimately, we just let two slip in," Allen said.

"Obviously PSG are a really good team, they just won the Champions League. They are probably the best in the world at the moment so we are going to go (into the game) believing and excited to play quality like that. We're excited for the challenge. We're going to go to the next round with full belief."

Like his head coach, Allen has taken the positives from Inter Miami's performances in the Cub World Cup so far. "We've passed people's expectations. I don't think many people had us coming out of the group. I thought we defended really well, we countered amazing, we held possession... we showed that we can hang when people didn't believe in us," he added.

"We just move on tomorrow and full focus on PSG. We believe that we can go as far as we believe in this tournament. We're not going to be scared of anyone. This tournament is allowing teams to showcase their talent and that's what we've done. We're showcasing how we can play and how we can compete at the top level."

But as Inter Miami legend Lionel Messi marks his 38th birthday on Tuesday, it is unclear if a reunion with his former club PSG is how he planned to celebrate.

• Buy tickets for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
• Watch the Club World Cup live and for free on DAZN