It took two matches and six days, but Lionel Messi delivered a magical Messi moment in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Messi scored a free kick goal with his legendary left boot, following a score by Telasco Segovia early in the second half, and Inter Miami beat Portuguese club FC Porto, 2-1, during their group-stage match on Thursday, June 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
It was 50th goal scored by Messi – the Argentine World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner – since joining Inter Miami and Major League Soccer in July 2023.
More important, it was the first victory by an MLS team against a European side, coming in a global club tournament hosted in the United States this summer.
“Well, it was a great joy, really. The whole team put in a lot of effort and worked very well,” Messi said in a postgame interview. “We’re very happy because we were left with a bitter taste in our mouths after the first game, because we thought that in the end we could have won, just as we could have lost. … But anyway, it’s a very important victory for us and one to enjoy.”
After narrowly missing two chances to score in Inter Miami’s scoreless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly in the Club World Cup opener, Messi lined up for the free kick just outside the penalty area, bending his attempt into the upper-right corner of the net in the 54th minute.
Messi’s fifth free-kick goal with Inter Miami followed a missile of a goal fired by Segovia in the 47th minute. Both scores quickly helped Inter Miami turn 1-0 halftime deficit into one of the club’s most historic victories in its five-year history.
“I think it’s clear that we want to compete, and today we competed against a very good European team,” Messi said. “It’s a club with a lot of young players, and it was their first time in such a special, significant competition. I think we played a great game.”
While Messi’s goal was dynamic and Inter Miami hung on late for the win, Messi was seen receiving treatment on his right quadricep shortly after. He favored the muscle around the 60th minute, but played until the final whistle.
Messi also was seen smiling and greeting opposing players after the match, but the injury – a recurring one for Messi in his career, including several instances with Inter Miami – could be cause for concern.
Inter Miami’s Club World Cup run continues Monday, June 23 with the final group-stage match against Brazilian club Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Inter Miami and Palmeiras each have four points atop the table in Group A, but Palmeiras has the slight edge after a 2-0 win earlier Thursday against Egyptian club Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Palmeiras kept Al Ahly and Porto scoreless in their first two matches, while Inter Miami fell behind FC Porto’s Samu Omorodion scored a penalty kick in the 8th minute.
Inter Miami defender Noah Allen kicked the feet of Porto’s João Mário inside the penalty area in the fifth minute, creating the opportunity.
Along with being a relatively weak penalty, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano was upset because the VAR for the penalty came after a referee entered the ball into play following the sequence.
It ultimately didn’t matter.
“We didn’t let ourselves go. We’re going to compete and try to play a different game. We know we were inferior today, but we played with heart,” Messi said. “Now, it’s Palmeiras turn, who is one of the world’s best, and it’s going to be another very difficult game.”
Inter Miami must overcome the injury bug if it hopes to advance through the Club World Cup group stage.
Inter Miami defender Chelo Weigandt, who assisted Segovia’s goal, left the match with an injury on his lower left back/hip area. Inter Miami defender Ian Frey also left the match with an injury in the second half.
Inter Miami leftback Jordi Alba made his return from a hamstring injury out of necessity, replacing Fray in the 79th minute. Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright has missed both Club World Cup matches as he nurses a hamstring injury.
Watch Messi play today on DAZN
Check out these highlights from the Inter Miami vs. FC Porto match:
Inter Miami vs. FC Porto highlights
Messi scores free kick goal: Inter Miami 2, FC Porto 1
Lionel Messi has made his presence felt in the second half in Atlanta. He scored a free kick in the 54t minute, and Inter Miami quickly turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead against FC Porto in the second half.
It’s Messi’s fifth free kick goal for Inter Miami, and the 50th goal he’s scored for the club since joining in July 2023.
Telasco Segovia scores goal in second half: Inter Miami 1, FC Porto 1
Inter Miami’s Telasco Segovia fired a right boot in the 47th minute to tie this match as the second half is underway. FC Porto had as many as eight players playing close to the penalty area. Inter Miami’s Chelo Weigandt found Segovia in space, and Segovia delivered the club’s first goal in the Club World Cup.
Halftime score: FC Porto 1, Inter Miami 0
Oscar Ustari makes heads-up play after shot hits post: FC Porto 1, Inter Miami 0
Quick thinking by Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, who prevented the ball from rolling into the net after Porto’s Alan Varela fired a shot off the right post.
Samu Omorodion shot saved by Oscar Ustari: FC Porto 1, Inter Miami 0
Inter Miami is keeping it close just before halftime as goalkeeper Oscar Ustari stopped a shot by Porto’s Samu Omorodion in the 43rd minute.
Maxi Falcon clears near-score: FC Porto 1, Inter Miami 0
Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcon made a pivotal clearance behind goalkeeper Oscar Ustari on a shot nearly scored by Porto’s Rodrigo Mora in the 39th minute.
Benjamin Cremaschi misses right boot: FC Porto 1, Inter Miami 0
Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi fired a right boot, but Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos made a highlight save in the 35th minute. Luis Suarez let the ball roll to Cremaschi for the shot, but Inter Miami remains scoreless in the Club World Cup.
Luis Suarez misses opportunity: FC Porto 1, Inter Miami 0
Luis Suarez missed a big opportunity to affect the score, but he was unable to set his feet as he fired a left boot into the chest of Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos in the 19th minute. Suarez received the pass from Messi, who has sought his former Barcelona teammate several times already in the match.
Samu Omorodion scores penalty kick: FC Porto 1, Inter Miami 0
Inter Miami is down early: FC Porto’s Samu Omorodion scored a penalty kick in the eighth minute for a 1-0 lead. Inter Miami defender Noah Allen kicked the feet of Porto’s João Mário inside the penalty area in the fifth minute, creating the opportunity after VAR. Along with being a relatively weak penalty, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano was upset because the VAR came after a referee entered the ball into play following the sequence.
Messi had two touches in the opening minutes, both opportunities where he found Luis Suarez in the box unable to convert.
What time is Inter Miami vs. FC Porto Club World Cup match?
The match begins at 3 p.m. ET (4 p.m. in Argentina, 8 p.m. in Porto, Portugal).
How to watch Inter Miami vs. FC Porto match on TV, live stream?
The match will be broadcast on TNT and TruTV in English in the United States, and available to live stream for free on DAZN.
Is Messi playing today?
Yes, Messi has been listed as a starter in Inter Miami’s starting lineup.
Inter Miami vs. FC Porto betting odds?
With Messi, Inter Miami enters the Club World Cup match with FC Porto as underdogs, according to BETMGM.
Inter Miami: +275
Draw: +300
FC Porto: -118
Over/under: 3.5 goals
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
The final Group A matches will be June 23 at 9 p.m. ET: Inter Miami will face Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, while Al Ahly and FC Porto meet at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
If Inter Miami advances to the Club World Cup knockout stage, its next match would be June 28 or 29.
If Inter Miami is eliminated from the Club World Cup, its next match will be June 28 vs. Atlanta United in a return to the Major League Soccer regular season.