Being one goal behind, Inter Miami was waiting for just such a Messi moment. Lionel Messi brought their wait to a sweet end. He scored a stunning goal from a free kick. And with that, Inter Miami won against the Portuguese team Porto. The Major League Soccer team won 2-1 in this match on Thursday in the Club World Cup. As a result, Messi has a great chance of going to the next round from Group ‘A’.
In the match held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Thursday night, Porto took the lead early. The tension lasted throughout the first half. Messi and Suarez returned to the rhythm after the break. Then they made a comeback, and the Argentine superstar secured Miami’s victory with a stunning goal. This made Messi the highest scorer in all FIFA competitions.
This time, the Club World Cup is being held on a large scale with 32 teams. Florida club Inter Miami is playing for the first time. Although their recent performance has not been very promising. However, it is not unusual for football fans to have the confidence that a team with Messi in the team can surprise. This was seen yesterday against European club Porto. The Portuguese representatives took the lead in penalties in just the eighth minute of the match. Which they maintained throughout the first half.
Miami defender Noah Allen fouled Porto’s Joao Mario in their own D-box in the 5th minute. After the referee awarded a penalty with the help of VAR, Samu Agheho scored a spot kick. After leading 1-0, Porto maintained control of the match until the break. They even had a chance to double the lead. One of their shots from outside the box hit the goalpost. On the other hand, although Messi created several scoring opportunities, Miami went into the break behind due to the failures of his teammates.
Messi and Mascherano’s team returned to the match in the second minute of the second half. Telasco Segovia scored the goal for Miami with a one-touch half-volley inside the D-box. Marcelo Wigandt’s cross was also perfectly measured, which was easy for the Miami winger to convert into a goal from the penalty spot. Then it was Miami’s turn to take the lead. When Porto’s Rodrigo Mora fouled Messi outside the D-box, Miami got a free-kick. From where the Argentine captain did not make a mistake in taking his iconic left-footed curling shot.
His free-kick shot hit the ball into the Porto net from the corner of the right bar. This was Messi’s 25th goal in a FIFA event. Through this, he set the record for the most goals in a FIFA competition in 20 years, playing in 10 tournaments. For the rest of the match, both teams tried to change the scoreline by attacking and counter-attacking. However, neither found the net again. As a result, Miami won its first victory of the tournament by 2-1.
Miami, with a win and a draw in two matches, moved up to second place in Group A with 4 points. Brazilian club Palmeiras, with the same points, are at the top on goal difference. Both teams are now in the lead in the fight to advance to the knockout stage.