Lionel Messi just keeps rewriting the script and this time, he’s brought Inter Miami along for the ride.
The Argentine icon scored his 50th goal for Inter Miami and delivered the match-winner in classic Messi style as the MLS side came from behind to beat Portuguese giants Porto 2-1. That’s not just three points, that’s their first-ever win at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Early Setback, Big Response
It wasn’t all sunshine and free kicks from the start. Porto looked sharp early and got their breakthrough just eight minutes in. Samu Aghehowa stepped up and squeezed a penalty under goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, putting the pressure squarely on the pink-and-black brigade.
Porto could’ve gone two or even three up before half-time, Francesco Moura had a shot cleared off the line and Alan Varela rattled the post. But Inter Miami held on, barely, and regrouped.
The Comeback Charge
The second half was a different story. It all started with a peach of a finish from Telasco Segovia, who blasted Marcelo Weigandt’s cut-back into the top bin. 1-1, game on.
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Then came Messi’s moment, because of course it did. After firing one set-piece wide just minutes earlier, the 37-year-old stepped up again from just outside the D and curled a picture-perfect free-kick over the wall and past Claudio Ramos. If you’ve seen it once, you’ve seen it a hundred times and it still drops jaws.
Messi Eyes Ronaldo’s Record
The goal was Messi’s sixth in the Club World Cup, putting him level with Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema and just one behind Cristiano Ronaldo, who sits atop the all-time list with seven.
Busquets Rolls Back the Years
Sergio Busquets is just a month shy of 37, reminded everyone why he’s one of the best midfield minds of his generation. Against opponents more than a decade younger, the Spaniard was pure control in the middle. He completed 74 passes (second only to Porto’s Fabio Vieira), had a 94.5% pass completion rate, and made three key tackles, only Benjamin Cremaschi made more (5).
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Veteran guile, Messi magic, and a milestone win. Inter Miami’s Club World Cup journey just got real.
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