Lionel Messi delivered yet another moment of brilliance as Inter Miami came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over European giants Porto in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday.
Messi, 37, scored his first goal of the tournament with a trademark free kick in the 54th minute, igniting the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and completing a turnaround that keeps Miami’s hopes of progression very much alive.
The Herons had gone into the break trailing 1-0 after Porto striker Samu Omorodion converted an early penalty following a VAR review. But Javier Mascherano’s side responded immediately after the restart, with Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia finishing smartly from Marcelo Weigandt’s cross just two minutes into the second half.
Then came Messi’s moment. Brought down by Rodrigo Mora just outside the area, the Argentine legend dusted himself off and curled a stunning left-footed effort over the wall and into the top corner – a goal met with chants of “Messi! Messi!” from the capacity crowd.
Inter Miami head coach Mascherano hailed his captain’s impact, both as a player and a leader.
“[Messi] is the player that leads us in the ways we have to compete,” Mascherano said. “His hunger, his resilience, his will to go on competing, at whatever level that may be. In football terms, what else can I add? He’s the best player ever to play this sport. But his determination to win is always surprising.”
Mascherano was also full of praise for his team’s collective performance.
“We were working really, really hard against a team that have a lot of quality and a high level,” he said. “But today, we showed to the world and to ourselves that we can compete against any team.
“This match, the first half was very, very good also. The players understood that they can do it. When we are together, when we are next to our teammates, we can do something amazing.”
Both sides had drawn their opening Group A matches, making this a crucial result. Inter Miami now return to South Florida with confidence, knowing that victory over Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium will secure a place in the last 16.
For Porto, who will face Egypt’s Al Ahly in their final group fixture in New Jersey, the pressure is on.
Porto coach Martin Anselmi could only marvel at Messi’s decisive contribution.
“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,” Anselmi admitted.
With Messi in this kind of form, Inter Miami’s dreams of Club World Cup glory are very much alive.
