Lionel Messi – with just a kick from his enchanting and legendary left boot – delivered the highlight moment FIFA anxiously awaited and desperately needed for the Club World Cup to resonate with soccer fans around the world.
Messi scored a game-deciding free-kick goal, Telasco Segovia scored early in the second half, and Inter Miami beat Portuguese club FC Porto, 2-1, during their Club World Cup 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 gracing Inter Miami and soccer fans in the United States with his presence in July 2023.
It came against the first club Messi faced when he debuted as a 16 year old with Barcelona on Nov. 16, 2003.
More important, Inter Miami’s victory was the first by a North American team against a European club in a FIFA competition – a landmark achievement in Major League Soccer’s 30-year history.
“Well, it was a great joy, really,” Messi said in a postgame interview with DAZN, five days before his 38th birthday. “The whole team put in a lot of effort and worked very well. … It’s a very important victory for us and one to enjoy.”
Messi did not miss his moment, after teasing fans by narrowly missing two chances in Inter Miami’s scoreless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly in the Club World Cup opener last Saturday, June 14.
Messi lined up for the free kick just outside the penalty area, bending his attempt from the middle of the pitch into the upper-right corner of the net in the 54th minute. It was Messi’s fifth free-kick goal with Inter Miami.
Segovia, a 22-year-old Venezuelan who joined the club this season, opened the club’s scoring with a missile he fired into the net in the 47th minute.
Inter Miami transformed a 1-0 halftime deficit into the most historic victory in the club’s five-year history under the co-ownership of brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, and soon-to-be Sir David Beckham.
“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.”
FIFA was criticized for inviting Inter Miami into the Club World Cup after winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield title last year – but not MLS Cup, or a continental title like many others in the field. It was a deliberate way for FIFA to get Messi, arguably the biggest name and greatest to ever play the game, into the tournament. And Messi delivered his moment.
Before the Club World Cup, Inter Miami won just three of their last 10 matches dating back to April 24. They were bounced from the Concacaf Champions Cup by the Vancouver Whitecaps, and were outscored 23-15 during an eight-game stretch. They appeared prime to be embarrassed on this stage.
However, Inter Miami held their own against a Portuguese powerhouse that has won 30 league titles and the Champions League twice.
First-year coach Javier Mascherano – who played with Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Barcelona – told his team to keep being brave, support one another, don’t worry about the result, and “just go for it.”
“I believe the message got through. And at the end, it was a great, great afternoon for us,” said Mascherano, hired to replace Tata Martino last December.
It also helps to have his old friend lead the way.
“His hunger, his resilience, his will to go on, competing at whatever level that may be – that’s something that guides us and directs us in the direction to follow,” Mascherano said of Messi. “And in football terms, what else can you add? I mean, he’s the best player to have ever played this sport in history. … We know that having him gives us an advantage. We feed from his spirit. He has the spirit of a winner, and we’re quite used to seeing that.”
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.
Palmeiras and Inter Miami 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 in the 8th minute when FC Porto’s Samu Omorodion scored a penalty kick.
Inter Miami defender Noah Allen kicked Porto’s João Mário on the foot while challenging him inside the penalty area, creating the opportunity. It was a relatively weak penalty, which made Mascherano upset because the VAR came after a referee entered the ball into play following the sequence.
“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 several key injuries if it hopes to advance to the Club World Cup knockout stage.
Messi was seen smiling and greeting opposing players after finishing the match, but was seen receiving treatment on his right quadricep shortly after his goal. It’s a recurring injury Messi has experienced late in his career, several times with Inter Miami.
Defender Chelo Weigandt, who assisted Segovia’s goal, left the match with an injury on his lower left back/hip area. Defender Ian Frey also left with an injury in the 79th minute, forcing Alba to return from a May 28 hamstring injury out of necessity. Second-year midfielder Yannick Bright (hamstring) has missed both Club World Cup matches.
Inter Miami will return home to South Florida late Thursday. Any negative concerns can wait for another day.
“Today is a historic day for our club. Each of the members of the club needs to celebrate it in their own way,” Mascherano said. “We are still alive in this competition … with the possibility of making the round-of-16 in a Club World Cup. Considering where we’re coming from, that’s not a minor thing.”
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.