Lionel Messi delivered yet another magical moment as Inter Miami pulled off a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over FC Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday, with the Argentine legend netting a trademark free-kick to seal the win.
Lionel Messi’s sublime strike in the second half, curled into the top corner, capped an inspired turnaround for the Major League Soccer side, who had fallen behind early in the match.
The result leaves Inter Miami joint-top of Group A alongside Palmeiras, who also have four points after defeating Al Ahly 2-0 earlier in the day. Porto and Al Ahly are left with one point each.
“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.”
The Portuguese side took an early lead in the eighth minute through a contentious penalty awarded via VAR after minimal contact from Miami defender Noah Allen on Joao Mario. Spanish international Samu Aghehowa converted the spot-kick, just beating goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Porto controlled much of the first half and created several chances to extend their lead. But Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, clung on thanks to goal-line heroics from Maximiliano Falcon and crucial saves by Ustari.
Inter Miami emerged from the break revitalized. Just moments into the second half, Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia slammed home Marcelo Weigandt’s low cross to level the tie.
Then, in the 54th minute, Messi took center stage. After being fouled just outside the area, the 37-year-old stepped up and whipped a signature free-kick into the top corner, leaving Porto’s Claudio Ramos rooted to the spot.
Even though attendance was sparse at kick-off due to the 3:00 p.m. weekday start at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the crowd swelled to nearly 32,000, many eager to witness Messi in action. And the World Cup winner didn’t disappoint, pulling the strings throughout and narrowly missing an assist after setting up Luis Suarez in the first half.
The final minutes saw Porto pile on the pressure, but Inter Miami, led by coach Javier Mascherano, defended resolutely through seven tense minutes of added time. Players flung their bodies in front of shots, channeling Mascherano’s own trademark grit, to preserve a historic result.
This marks the first competitive win by an MLS side over European opposition in the Club World Cup, a landmark moment for the American league and a massive boost for Inter Miami’s campaign.
With one game left in the group, Messi and Miami now have a real shot at making the knockout stage.
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