Lionel Messi has once again etched his name into the history books, this time on the grand stage of the FIFA Club World Cup. The Inter Miami star delivered a moment of pure magic, scoring a breathtaking free-kick to secure a 2-1 victory against Portuguese giants Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Thursday, June 19, 2025. This win marked a historic milestone for Inter Miami, becoming the first MLS team to conquer a European opponent in a competitive match and also securing their first-ever win in the prestigious Club World Cup tournament.
The match began with Porto taking an early lead through a Samu Omorodion penalty in the 8th minute, awarded after a video review. Inter Miami found themselves trailing and facing an uphill battle against the two-time European champions. Despite the setback, Inter Miami displayed resilience and determination, refusing to let the early goal dampen their spirits.
The second half saw a revitalized Inter Miami emerge, with Telasco Segovia leveling the score just two minutes after the restart. Segovia expertly finished a cross from Marcelo Weigandt, igniting hope among the Inter Miami faithful and setting the stage for a dramatic comeback.
Then came the moment that had the crowd on its feet. In the 54th minute, Messi was brought down just outside the penalty area. As the stadium erupted with chants of "Messi! Messi! Messi!", the Argentine maestro stepped up to take the free-kick. With his signature left-footed technique, Messi curled the ball over the wall and into the top right corner of the net, leaving Porto's goalkeeper with no chance.
The stadium exploded in celebration as Messi's teammates rushed to congratulate him on his stunning strike. The goal not only gave Inter Miami the lead but also showcased Messi's enduring brilliance and ability to deliver in crucial moments. It was his first goal of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, praised his team's performance and Messi's leadership. "We were working really, really hard against a team that have a lot of quality and a high level, but today, we showed to the world and to ourselves that we can compete against any team," Mascherano said. He further added, "[Messi] is the player that leads us in the ways we have to compete. His hunger, his resilience, his will to go on competing, at whatever level that may be... Even in the last minutes, when everyone is tired, he continued to support the team in any way he could.”
With this victory, Inter Miami now stands level on points with Palmeiras at the top of Group A. Inter Miami will face Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, June 23. A win would guarantee Inter Miami a spot in the Round of 16. Even a draw could be enough to secure their qualification, depending on the result of the match between Porto and Al-Ahly.
The win against Porto not only propels Inter Miami closer to the knockout stages of the Club World Cup but also serves as a testament to the team's growth and potential. With Messi leading the charge, Inter Miami has proven that they can compete against the best clubs in the world.
