Lionel Messi delivered another masterclass on the world stage, bending home a sublime free-kick to seal Inter Miami’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over FC Porto, and write another chapter in football history.
On a humid night inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Messi’s left-footed thunderbolt sent the crowd of over 70,000 into delirium. Chants of “Messi! Messi!” echoed through the arena as the 37-year-old curled the ball into the top corner, making Miami the first Concacaf team to beat a European side in a FIFA club competition.
Messi, brought down just outside the box by Rodrigo Mora, took his time, lined up his shot, and executed with the kind of brilliance only he possesses. It was his 50th goal for Miami in just 61 appearances and perhaps the most significant yet.
Porto had struck early through Samu Aghehowa’s coolly taken penalty, awarded after a VAR review. The Portuguese giants looked in control until the interval, but Inter responded with spirit. Just two minutes into the second half, Telasco Segovia latched onto Marcelo Weigandt’s cross to level the score.
Then came Messi. Always the difference-maker, he once again proved why he’s the greatest. “It was a very important victory,” Messi said post-match. “We had a sour taste after the draw with Al Ahly, but this shows we’re ready to compete.”
Head coach Javier Mascherano, his former Argentina teammate, was glowing in praise: “His hunger, his resilience, he never stops. Even when tired or in pain, he delivers.” His teammates echoed the sentiment, with Federico Redondo calling Messi “incredible” and Weigandt declaring, “Extraordinary. We’re used to it, but he keeps surprising us.”
The victory lifts Miami to four points, level with Palmeiras atop Group A. A draw in their final group game will send them into the knockout rounds, an achievement that seemed a dream just months ago.
