By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 20, 2025 03:20 AM • 80 views
Lionel Messi reminded the world why he remains football's ultimate difference-maker, curling home a sublime free kick to lift Inter Miami to a landmark 2-1 victory over FC Porto in Thursday's Club World Cup Group A showdown — a win that not only boosted the MLS side's tournament hopes but also carved a historic milestone for North American football. In a tense contest at a packed stadium in New Jersey, Messi's moment of brilliance in the dying minutes etched a new chapter in Club World Cup history, making Inter Miami the first CONCACAF side ever to defeat a European opponent in an official FIFA competition. For a tournament steeped in global prestige but often criticized for its continental imbalances, this was a result that resonated far beyond the final whistle.
Messi the Maestro, Again
It was a cagey affair early on, with Porto dictating possession but struggling to break down a disciplined Miami backline. Inter Miami, stung by a frustrating 0-0 draw with Al Ahly in their opener, came out with a point to prove — and with Messi orchestrating from deep, they found a rhythm that grew in confidence as the match wore on.
The Portuguese giants struck first through a clinical finish by Galeno, but Miami clawed back before halftime, thanks to Leonardo Campana's close-range equalizer — a scrappy but essential goal that ignited the American side's belief.
And then, in the 87th minute, the script turned legendary.
Awarded a free kick just outside the box, Messi spotted Porto keeper Diogo Costa cheating slightly off his near post. With surgical precision, he bent the ball over the wall and into the net — a strike dripping in class and awareness that brought the stadium to its feet and sealed an unforgettable win.
"It's a great joy," Messi said afterwards. "A lot of effort went into it, and we worked very well. We were left with a bitter taste after the first match. Today, we were the inferior team, but we have our weapons."
Indeed, Miami may have lacked Porto's pedigree, but with Messi at the helm and a squad hungry to prove themselves, they found a way to punch above their weight.
A New Frontier for North America
Inter Miami's triumph was more than just three points. It was a cultural breakthrough. In a competition often dominated by Europe and South America, this was a seismic moment for CONCACAF. While some pundits criticized FIFA's decision to grant Miami — managed by Messi's former Argentina teammate Javier Mascherano — a backdoor entry into the expanded tournament, the team has now answered with performance, not politics. Playing in a country still finding its identity in the global football landscape, Messi continues to be a transformative presence — not just for Inter Miami but for the sport across North America. The crowds, the cameras, the conversations: all are shifting, driven by one left foot that refuses to age.
What's Next
With four points from two matches, Inter Miami are now well-positioned to advance to the knockout stage, where the challenge only intensifies. Next up? Brazilian giants Palmeiras — a club steeped in history, success, and expectation. "It's going to be another challenging game," Messi admitted. "But we're going to compete, try to play our game." And if Thursday proved anything, it's that with Messi, anything is possible — even rewriting the balance of power on the global stage.
Group A Standings (After Matchday 2):
Palmeiras – 4 pts
Inter Miami – 4 pts
FC Porto – 1 pt
Al Ahly – 1 pt
