Lionel Messi scored his first objective of the expanded Club World Cup on an beautiful free kick, lifting Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over two-time European champion Porto.
The Herons trailed 1-0 on the break, however Telasco Segovia tied it two minutes into the second half off a cross into the field from Marcelo Weigandt.
Then it was time for the 37-year-old Argentinian to add a trademark objective to a resume that already assures he’ll go down as one of many recreation’s biggest stars.
Samu Omorodion scored on a penalty kick within the opening minutes after a video overview for the Portuguese membership’s first objective of the match.
Both groups have been held to scoreless attracts of their opening Group A matches.
Key second
Messi was taken down simply exterior the penalty space by Rodrigo Mora on a run down the center of the sphere. The crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was chanting “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.
Takeaways
Inter Miami returns to South Florida on Monday, knowing a victory over Brazilian club Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium will lock up its spot in the Round of 16. In desperate need of a win, Porto closes out group play against Egypt’s Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
What they said
“(Messi) is the participant that leads us within the methods we’ve got to compete. His starvation, his resilience, his will to go on competing, at no matter degree that could be. In soccer phrases, what else can I add?
“He’s the best player ever to play this sport. But his determination to win is always surprising. Even in the last minutes, when everyone is tired, he continued to support the team in any way he could,” stated Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
“What can I say about Messi? I’m not going to say anything that’s new. You know what he’s capable of on the pitch,” Porto coach Martín Anselmi stated.
Published – June 20, 2025 09:27 am IST
