ATLANTA – Lionel Messi delivered a moment of trademark brilliance to guide Inter Miami to a 2-1 comeback victory over European giants FC Porto in a high-stakes FIFA Club World Cup group match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The 37-year-old Argentine legend curled a stunning free-kick into the top-right corner in the 54th minute — his first goal of the expanded Club World Cup — to seal a vital win for the Major League Soccer side.
Inter Miami had trailed 1-0 at halftime, following an early penalty by Porto’s Samu Omorodion, awarded after a VAR review. But Telasco Segovia equalized just two minutes into the second half, converting a low cross from Marcelo Weigandt, setting the stage for Messi’s decisive moment.
“Messi! Messi! Messi!” echoed through the stadium moments before the World Cup winner stepped up and bent the ball past the wall and into the net — igniting the Atlanta crowd and turning the tide for Javier Mascherano’s men.
The Inter Miami manager — a former Argentina teammate of Messi — was full of praise for his side after the victory over a club with deep Champions League pedigree.
“We worked really hard against a top European team,” said Mascherano. “Today we proved to ourselves and to the world that we can compete at this level. And Messi, well — he’s not just the best to ever play the game. He’s still leading by example.”
Mascherano highlighted Messi’s continued influence, both as a player and as a competitor:
“Even in the final minutes, when the legs are tired, he was still helping the team in every way possible.”
Messi was brought down just outside the box by Porto defender Rodrigo Mora, setting up the free-kick that ultimately secured the win. It was yet another reminder of his enduring ability to shift a game single-handedly.
What’s Next
The result leaves Inter Miami in control of their group heading into their final match against Palmeiras of Brazil, set to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. A win would secure their place in the Round of 16.
Porto, now in desperate need of points, will face Egypt’s Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Porto head coach Martin Anselmi could only tip his hat to Messi after the game:
“What can I say? He’s Messi. You know what he’s capable of. Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do.”
