Ageless superstar Messi steers Inter Miami, PSG upset

The Advertiser

7 hours ago

Lionel Messi has scored his first goal of the expanded Club World Cup from an exquisite free kick, lifting Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over two-time European champions Porto.
But the upset of the day belonged to Botafago, who upstaged Paris St Germain 1-0 at the Rose Bowl.
Igor Jesus scored late in the first half for the South American champions, who withstood a tense second half while moving atop their group at 2-0-0.
PSG hadn't lost in any competition since May 3, but the European champions looked understandably weary at times before a lively crowd of 53,699.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, trailed 1-0 at the break but Telasco Segovia levelled matters two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from Marcelo Weigandt.
Then it was time for the 37-year-old Argentinian to add a trademark goal to a resume that already assures he'll go down as one of the game's greatest ever.
Samu Omorodion scored from a penalty kick in the opening minutes after a video review for the Portuguese club's first goal of the tournament.
Both teams were held to scoreless draws in their opening Group A matches.
Messi was taken down just outside the penalty area by Rodrigo Mora during a run from the middle of the field. The crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium chanted "Messi!" Messi! Messi!" before his left-footed blast cleared the Porto wall and ripped the net in the top right corner in the 54th minute.
Inter Miami return to South Florida on Monday, knowing a victory over Brazilian club Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium will lock up their spot in the round of 16.
In desperate need of a win, Porto will close out group play against Egypt's Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Earlier, Palmeiras beat Egyptian club Al Ahly 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium, with the game interrupted during the second half because of the threat of lightning in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Brazilians had seen forward Raphael Veiga shown a straight red card by English referee Anthony Taylor in the 37th minute following a high challenge on Al Ahly winger Zizo.
However, after being advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, Taylor changed his decision to issue only a yellow card.
Palmeiras broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half through an own goal when Al Ahly forward Wessam Abou Ali headed a deep free-kick into the top corner of his own net before substitute Flaco Lopez broke clear to double the lead just ahead of the hour.
With thunderstorms looming, the players were soon signalled to come off as the match was suspended in the 63rd minute.
A notice was displayed on the stadium's big screen, directing all spectators to leave the seated bowl area and take shelter inside "for your safety" because of "severe weather in the area".
Palmeiras went on to close out a first win that put them level on four points with Inter Miami ahead of their final group game at the Hard Rock Stadium on June 24.
In Pasadena, Jesus's stunning score in the 36th minute was the first goal allowed since May 17 by PSG, who routed Atlético Madrid 4-0 last Sunday.
The French powerhouse had outscored their last three opponents by a combined 12-0, winning the French Cup and the Champions League final along the way.
Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembélé missed his second straight game for PSG with a quadriceps injury. His teammates still dominated possession in the first half, even though coach Luis Enrique rotated his starting lineup.
Everything came undone with the remarkable individual effort by Jesus, the Brazilian striker reportedly headed for Nottingham Forest next season.
PSG finished with 16 shot attempts to Botafogo's four, but all four were on target, whereas PSG only got two on net.
Jesus controlled Jefferson Savarino's long pass, beat two defenders and thumped a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma. He leapt over a barrier and up onto the front row of the Rose Bowl stands to celebrate with Botafogo's ecstatic supporters.
PSG had little of the sublime connective play that characterised their stellar run over the past month, but Enrique's club is still in a strong position to advance as they head to Seattle on Monday to play Major League Soccer's Sounders.
with PA
Lionel Messi has scored his first goal of the expanded Club World Cup from an exquisite free kick, lifting Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over two-time European champions Porto.
But the upset of the day belonged to Botafago, who upstaged Paris St Germain 1-0 at the Rose Bowl.
Igor Jesus scored late in the first half for the South American champions, who withstood a tense second half while moving atop their group at 2-0-0.
PSG hadn't lost in any competition since May 3, but the European champions looked understandably weary at times before a lively crowd of 53,699.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, trailed 1-0 at the break but Telasco Segovia levelled matters two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from Marcelo Weigandt.
Then it was time for the 37-year-old Argentinian to add a trademark goal to a resume that already assures he'll go down as one of the game's greatest ever.
Samu Omorodion scored from a penalty kick in the opening minutes after a video review for the Portuguese club's first goal of the tournament.
Both teams were held to scoreless draws in their opening Group A matches.
Messi was taken down just outside the penalty area by Rodrigo Mora during a run from the middle of the field. The crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium chanted "Messi!" Messi! Messi!" before his left-footed blast cleared the Porto wall and ripped the net in the top right corner in the 54th minute.
Inter Miami return to South Florida on Monday, knowing a victory over Brazilian club Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium will lock up their spot in the round of 16.
In desperate need of a win, Porto will close out group play against Egypt's Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Earlier, Palmeiras beat Egyptian club Al Ahly 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium, with the game interrupted during the second half because of the threat of lightning in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Brazilians had seen forward Raphael Veiga shown a straight red card by English referee Anthony Taylor in the 37th minute following a high challenge on Al Ahly winger Zizo.
However, after being advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, Taylor changed his decision to issue only a yellow card.
Palmeiras broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half through an own goal when Al Ahly forward Wessam Abou Ali headed a deep free-kick into the top corner of his own net before substitute Flaco Lopez broke clear to double the lead just ahead of the hour.
With thunderstorms looming, the players were soon signalled to come off as the match was suspended in the 63rd minute.
A notice was displayed on the stadium's big screen, directing all spectators to leave the seated bowl area and take shelter inside "for your safety" because of "severe weather in the area".
Palmeiras went on to close out a first win that put them level on four points with Inter Miami ahead of their final group game at the Hard Rock Stadium on June 24.
In Pasadena, Jesus's stunning score in the 36th minute was the first goal allowed since May 17 by PSG, who routed Atlético Madrid 4-0 last Sunday.
The French powerhouse had outscored their last three opponents by a combined 12-0, winning the French Cup and the Champions League final along the way.
Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembélé missed his second straight game for PSG with a quadriceps injury. His teammates still dominated possession in the first half, even though coach Luis Enrique rotated his starting lineup.
Everything came undone with the remarkable individual effort by Jesus, the Brazilian striker reportedly headed for Nottingham Forest next season.
PSG finished with 16 shot attempts to Botafogo's four, but all four were on target, whereas PSG only got two on net.
Jesus controlled Jefferson Savarino's long pass, beat two defenders and thumped a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma. He leapt over a barrier and up onto the front row of the Rose Bowl stands to celebrate with Botafogo's ecstatic supporters.
PSG had little of the sublime connective play that characterised their stellar run over the past month, but Enrique's club is still in a strong position to advance as they head to Seattle on Monday to play Major League Soccer's Sounders.
with PA
Lionel Messi has scored his first goal of the expanded Club World Cup from an exquisite free kick, lifting Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over two-time European champions Porto.
But the upset of the day belonged to Botafago, who upstaged Paris St Germain 1-0 at the Rose Bowl.
Igor Jesus scored late in the first half for the South American champions, who withstood a tense second half while moving atop their group at 2-0-0.
PSG hadn't lost in any competition since May 3, but the European champions looked understandably weary at times before a lively crowd of 53,699.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, trailed 1-0 at the break but Telasco Segovia levelled matters two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from Marcelo Weigandt.
Then it was time for the 37-year-old Argentinian to add a trademark goal to a resume that already assures he'll go down as one of the game's greatest ever.
Samu Omorodion scored from a penalty kick in the opening minutes after a video review for the Portuguese club's first goal of the tournament.
Both teams were held to scoreless draws in their opening Group A matches.
Messi was taken down just outside the penalty area by Rodrigo Mora during a run from the middle of the field. The crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium chanted "Messi!" Messi! Messi!" before his left-footed blast cleared the Porto wall and ripped the net in the top right corner in the 54th minute.
Inter Miami return to South Florida on Monday, knowing a victory over Brazilian club Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium will lock up their spot in the round of 16.
In desperate need of a win, Porto will close out group play against Egypt's Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Earlier, Palmeiras beat Egyptian club Al Ahly 2-0 at the MetLife Stadium, with the game interrupted during the second half because of the threat of lightning in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Brazilians had seen forward Raphael Veiga shown a straight red card by English referee Anthony Taylor in the 37th minute following a high challenge on Al Ahly winger Zizo.
However, after being advised to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, Taylor changed his decision to issue only a yellow card.
Palmeiras broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half through an own goal when Al Ahly forward Wessam Abou Ali headed a deep free-kick into the top corner of his own net before substitute Flaco Lopez broke clear to double the lead just ahead of the hour.
With thunderstorms looming, the players were soon signalled to come off as the match was suspended in the 63rd minute.
A notice was displayed on the stadium's big screen, directing all spectators to leave the seated bowl area and take shelter inside "for your safety" because of "severe weather in the area".
Palmeiras went on to close out a first win that put them level on four points with Inter Miami ahead of their final group game at the Hard Rock Stadium on June 24.
In Pasadena, Jesus's stunning score in the 36th minute was the first goal allowed since May 17 by PSG, who routed Atlético Madrid 4-0 last Sunday.
The French powerhouse had outscored their last three opponents by a combined 12-0, winning the French Cup and the Champions League final along the way.
Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembélé missed his second straight game for PSG with a quadriceps injury. His teammates still dominated possession in the first half, even though coach Luis Enrique rotated his starting lineup.
Everything came undone with the remarkable individual effort by Jesus, the Brazilian striker reportedly headed for Nottingham Forest next season.
PSG finished with 16 shot attempts to Botafogo's four, but all four were on target, whereas PSG only got two on net.
Jesus controlled Jefferson Savarino's long pass, beat two defenders and thumped a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma. He leapt over a barrier and up onto the front row of the Rose Bowl stands to celebrate with Botafogo's ecstatic supporters.
PSG had little of the sublime connective play that characterised their stellar run over the past month, but Enrique's club is still in a strong position to advance as they head to Seattle on Monday to play Major League Soccer's Sounders.
with PA