Messi free-kick lifts Inter Miami over Porto in Club World Cup

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2025-06-20 09:43:00

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

ATLANTA, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi struck a stunning free kick to seal a 2-1 comeback victory for Inter Miami over Porto in their FIFA Club World Cup Group A clash on Thursday.

Porto took the early lead just eight minutes into the match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Inter Miami defender Noah Allen was penalized for a challenge on Joao Mario inside the box following a VAR review.

Samu Aghehowa stepped up and converted the resulting penalty, beating veteran Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari despite the Argentine getting a hand to the ball.

The Portuguese side nearly doubled its advantage before halftime when midfielder Alan Varela's powerful strike from 20 yards hit the post. The rebound deflected off Ustari's back, but the keeper managed to collect the ball just before it crossed the line.

Inter Miami, who managed only six touches inside Porto's box in the first half, came out energized after the break and found the equalizer in the 47th minute. Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia latched onto a cross from Marcelo Weigandt and fired the ball into the top corner.

The Major League Soccer side completed its comeback just seven minutes later. Luis Suarez earned a free kick on the edge of Porto's penalty area, and Messi stepped up to curl an exquisite set piece into the top right corner.

"I took advantage of the space the goalkeeper left me," Messi explained. "Very happy because we were left with a bitter taste in our mouths after the first game."

The win lifts Inter Miami to second place in Group A with four points from one win and one draw, trailing Brazil's Palmeiras only on goal difference. Porto and Al Ahly follow with one point each. Inter Miami will host group leader Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium on June 23 in their final group fixture.

"We knew we weren't favorites, but we had our chances," said Miami's Sergio Busquets. "The hardest step remains against the best team in the group." ■

Lionel Messi (2nd R) of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

Noah Allen (L) and Sergio Busquets of Inter Miami CF vie with Samu Aghehowa (C) of FC Porto for a head ball during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

Samu Aghehowa (R) of FC Porto breaks through during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Lionel Messi (2nd L) of Inter Miami CF breaks through during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Lionel Messi (2nd L) of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Lionel Messi (3rd R) of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF prepares to take a free kick during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Lionel Messi (3rd R) of Inter Miami CF takes a free kick and scores during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF competes during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

Lionel Messi (L) of Inter Miami CF vies with Ivan Marcano of FC Porto during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Benjamin Cremaschi of Inter Miami CF shoots during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

William Gomes (2nd R) of FC Porto vies with Fafa Picault (2nd L) of Inter Miami CF during the Group A match between Inter Miami CF of the United States and FC Porto of Portugal at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta, the United States, June 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)