Lionel Messi’s trademark free-kick gave Inter Miami a surprise 2-1 comeback win over Porto in the Club World Cup on Thursday. Messi scored in the second half to seal the victory and boost Miami’s chances of advancing from Group A. Both Inter Miami and Palmeiras now have four points. Earlier, Palmeiras beat Al Ahly 2-0. Porto and Al Ahly have one point each. Porto had taken the lead through Samu Aghehowa’s early penalty and dominated the first half.
Lionel Messi Scored A Stunning Free Kick
But Telasco Segovia scored to bring Inter Miami level, and Messi’s brilliant free-kick secured a memorable win in a game many expected Porto to win easily. Inter Miami, part-owned by former England star David Beckham, joined the MLS in 2020. Their signing of Messi in 2023 brought them major global attention.
Inter Miami made history with a 2-1 win over Porto, marking the first competitive victory by an MLS team over a European opposition team. Porto took an early lead with a soft penalty, but Miami hit back right after halftime through Telasco Segovia.
The match’s defining moment came in the 54th minute when Lionel Messi was fouled just outside the box. He stepped up and curled a trademark free-kick into the top right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. It was vintage Messi – precise, powerful, and unstoppable – putting Miami ahead in style. The video of the same has been going viral on the internet, watch it here:
MESSI MAGIC ONCE AGAIN ☄️🐐
What a free kick from the goat at the FIFA Club World Cup. pic.twitter.com/EiAv4invb8
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2025
Inter Miami Coach Javier Mascherano Left In Awe Of Lionel Messi
Inter Miami defended strongly in the closing minutes to secure a famous win, with nearly 32,000 fans in the stadium by full-time.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano admitted that he was left in awe of Lionel Messi’s desire to win after the MLS side defeated Porto at the Club World Cup on Thursday. The coach said that Messi’s competitiveness at the age of 37 was more surprising to him than the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s quality. Speaking to the media, Mascherano said:
“Beyond his goal… he’s a player who shows us how to compete, his hunger, his desire to continue competing at whatever level it is,”
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“In a footballing sense, what else is there to say? He’s the best player that has played this sport in its history, but what is surprising is his will to win.”
He added: “Today, even in the last minutes, tired, with a knock, he kept helping the team in any way he could, in attack, in defence, to get the result…
“We know having him gives us an advantage, but above all, through his contagious spirit, the winning spirit that he has.”
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