Lionel Messi rolled back the years with a trademark free-kick to cap Inter Miami’s thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over FC Porto at a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, securing the MLS side’s first-ever win at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Messi, who turns 38 in just under a week, delivered his 50th goal for Inter Miami in his 61st appearance, curling a stunning left-footed effort over the wall and into the top corner — a strike that ignited the crowd and handed Miami a crucial three points in Group A.
The night had begun frustratingly for Inter Miami, who fell behind early. Just eight minutes in, Samu Aghehowa won and converted a penalty, squeezing his shot under veteran goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
Porto, two-time European champions, nearly doubled their lead before half-time. Left-back Francesco Moura had a goal-bound effort heroically cleared off the line, and midfielder Alan Varela rattled the post with a long-range strike that left Ustari rooted.
Martin Anselmi’s side dominated possession for long spells and looked the more likely to score, but Inter Miami regrouped at the break and emerged with renewed energy.
Lionel Messi has scored 754 times across all competitions during his senior domestic career. Photo Credit: Getty Images
Just two minutes after the restart, full-back Marcelo Weigandt burst down the right and cut the ball back into the path of Telasco Segovia, who unleashed a fierce shot into the top corner to level the match.
Then came the moment of magic. With the match delicately poised and space tight, Messi drove through the middle of the pitch and was brought down just outside the penalty area by Rodrigo Mora.
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What followed was pure artistry: a clean, curling strike that soared beyond the reach of Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos and into the top right corner.
The stadium erupted as Messi ran to celebrate with Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, two familiar faces from his Barcelona days.
Lionel Messi’s superb free kick gave Inter Miami a 2-1 win over FC Porto. Photo Credit: Getty Images
It was Messi’s 68th career goal from a direct free-kick — and his sixth in just seven FIFA Club World Cup appearances. He previously scored five times for Barcelona in the competition, including in all three finals he won (2009, 2011, and 2015).
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The Argentine now has 10 goals and 7 assists in just 12 starts this calendar year, reaffirming his influence even as retirement whispers linger in the background.
Despite a few late flurries from Porto, Inter Miami held firm. Busquets, just a month shy of his 37th birthday, was instrumental in midfield, completing 94.5% of his 74 passes and making three successful tackles.
