Club World Cup 2025: Messi Magic Secures Inter Miami Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Porto

News18

13 hours ago

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The Argentine was brought down outside the area and, after dusting himself off, arrowed a classic Messi free-kick into the top right corner to give Inter Miami the winning lead.
It was trademark from Lionel Messi, who scored a scintillating free-kick goal to secure a stunning 2-1 comeback victory for Inter Miami against Porto in the Club World Cup on Thursday.
The Argentine superstar scored a second-half set-piece to seal the unexpected win for the MLS team, significantly boosting their chances of advancing from Group A.
Inter Miami and Palmeiras each have four points, following the Brazilian side's 2-0 win over Al Ahly earlier. Al Ahly and Porto both have one point.
Samu Aghehowa's early penalty put the Portuguese side ahead, as they dominated the first half and had several scoring opportunities.
However, Telasco Segovia equalised for Miami, and Messi's free-kick secured a notable win in a match many believed would be straightforward for Porto.
Inter Miami, co-owned by former England international David Beckham, played their first MLS match in 2020 and signed Messi in 2023, significantly raising their profile.
This marked the first competitive victory for an MLS side over European opposition, following Chelsea's win over Los Angeles FC earlier in the week.
'It's a huge joy, the whole team made a big effort, we worked really well," Messi told DAZN. 'It's a really important win for us and we have to enjoy it. You can see that we want to compete, and today we competed against a really good European team. We knew that today we were weaker, but we had our strengths."
Despite Messi's presence, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was less than half-full at kick-off, hindered by another 3:00 pm start on a working day, as it was for Chelsea's opener at the venue.
More fans arrived throughout the game, eager to see the 37-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest player ever, with nearly 32,000 in attendance by the end.
Messi did not disappoint, heavily involved from the start. He delivered a dipping ball to veteran striker Luis Suarez, who could only prod it at the goalkeeper.
Porto took the lead in the eighth minute after being awarded a soft penalty following a VAR review, as Miami defender Noah Allen made light contact with Joao Mario in the box. Spain international Samu Aghehowa beat Oscar Ustari, who had saved a penalty in the goalless draw against Al Ahly, even though the keeper got a hand to his low effort.
Uruguayan striker Suarez, 38, nearly equalised after Messi threaded him through on goal, but Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos denied him as he was forced to use his weaker left foot.
Javier Mascherano's side almost levelled through US international Benjamin Cremaschi, but Ramos made a smart near-post stop to thwart him after Suarez broke open Porto's defence.
Inter Miami equalised at the start of the second half when Segovia blasted home Marcelo Weigandt's inviting cut-back. Messi then put Miami ahead with a goal of his own making after 54 minutes. The playmaker was brought down outside the area and, after dusting himself off, arrowed a classic Messi free-kick into the top right corner.
'(Messi) is a leader, he's the greatest player in the world," Inter Miami forward Fafa Picault told DAZN. 'I had a feeling (the free-kick) was going in. That was a great goal, a great show of leadership and coming in a clutch moment for us."
Miami fought hard to keep Porto at bay, with groans from the stadium when seven minutes of stoppage time were announced. Mascherano's players threw themselves in front of shots in a manner reminiscent of the former Argentine defensive midfielder, ultimately securing their much-desired victory.
(with agency inputs)