Lionel Messi once again lived up to his legendary status, delivering a stunning free-kick goal to help Inter Miami secure a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Portuguese giants FC Porto in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup group stage encounter on Thursday.
The victory, which unfolded at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marks a milestone for Major League Soccer (MLS)—the first time an MLS club has defeated European opposition in a competitive Club World Cup match.
A Night of Grit, Glory, and a Touch of Genius
Porto drew first blood just eight minutes into the game after being awarded a controversial penalty. VAR judged a light challenge by Miami’s Noah Allen on Joao Mario to be worthy of a spot-kick. Samu Aghehowa stepped up and squeezed the ball past Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, giving the Portuguese side an early lead.
Porto continued to dominate the first half, threatening to double their advantage on multiple occasions. But Inter Miami held firm, thanks to a combination of desperate defending by Maximiliano Falcon and sharp saves from Ustari.
Miami’s Second-Half Revival
Down but not out, Inter Miami came out rejuvenated in the second half. Within minutes, they found the equalizer when Telasco Segovia, the Venezuelan midfield dynamo, smashed home Marcelo Weigandt’s low cross.
Then, in the 54th minute, the magic moment arrived. Awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area, Messi lined up the ball and true to form curled a flawless strike into the top corner. Porto goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos didn’t even move.
The goal electrified the stadium and gave Miami a lead they refused to relinquish.
Late Porto Pressure and Defensive Heroics
Despite being second-best in the second half, Porto responded with waves of late pressure. But Inter Miami, coached by former Argentine captain Javier Mascherano, held their nerve through seven minutes of added time. With bodies flying in front of every shot and Mascherano barking instructions from the touchline, the team showed the kind of defensive resilience that mirrored their manager’s own playing career.
Historic Win, Growing Confidence
The win places Inter Miami joint-top of Group A with Palmeiras, who earlier defeated Al Ahly 2-0. Both teams now sit on four points, while Porto and Al Ahly trail with one point apiece.
“It’s a huge joy, the whole team made a big effort, we worked really well,” Messi said in a post-match interview with DAZN. “It’s a really important win for us and we have to enjoy it. We knew we were weaker on paper, but we had our strengths, and we showed them today.”
Fan Frenzy and Messi’s Continued Influence
Although the game kicked off at 3:00 p.m. on a weekday, the stadium eventually welcomed nearly 32,000 fans, many drawn by the chance to see Messi in action. The Argentine didn’t disappoint dictating play, dazzling defenders, and nearly setting up a goal for Luis Suarez in the first half.
His influence continues to be transformative not only for Inter Miami but for MLS as a whole.
One Game Away From Knockout Stage Glory
With one group match remaining, Inter Miami now have a realistic chance of advancing to the Club World Cup knockout stage an outcome few had predicted. The win also provides a massive morale boost for American club football on the international stage.
If Messi’s brilliance and Miami’s newfound resilience continue, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 might just witness one of the most compelling underdog stories in recent tournament history.
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