Inter Miami CF 2-1 FC Porto | Group A
Inter Miami goals: Segovia (47), Messi (54)
Porto goal: Samu (8)
It was inevitable that Lionel Messi’s continued brilliance would shine through on the biggest stage. Despite FC Porto taking the lead early on, it was Messi’s Inter Miami CF that got their first victory at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ in Atlanta.
The Argentina international looked to be at his silky best from minute one, but in the first half his ability was not enough to overcome Porto keeper Claudio Ramos, who continues to make a name for himself at this tournament.
The Portuguese side opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a lengthy VAR review determined that Miami left-back Noah Allen had fouled Porto midfielder Joao Mario in the box. Much to Miami keeper Oscar Ustari’s frustration, Porto striker Samu Aghehowa was able to sneak the penalty past his outstretched palm. That goal took Samu’s tally to 26 this season in all competitions.
With the half winding down, Porto had three chances to extend their lead. First, playmaker Rodrigo Mora received a flick from Samu in the box, left his defender on the ground and fired past Ustari only to see his shot headed off the line by centre-back Maximiliano Falcon. Then Samu went on a lung-bursting, Yaya Toure-esque run through the midfield, firing a low shot that was denied by Ustari. Finally, with stoppage time approaching, Alan Varela hit a screamer from outside the box that rebounded off the post and hit the keeper’s back but failed to find the net.
After the break, the momentum instantly changed, with Inter Miami gaining the upper hand. The Herons wasted no time, drawing level through a lashed one-time finish by midfielder Telasco Segovia that powered past Ramos into the upper left-hand corner of the net.
Some six minutes later, it was the moment every Miami fan had been waiting for. After a foul was called on the edge of the box, Messi stepped up, as he has so many times before, and easily guided a curling effort into the near corner.
After going behind, Porto applied the pressure, throwing everything they could at Ustari’s goal. But the Dragons were unable to find an equalizer and will go into the final Group A matchday needing three points to have any hope of advancing to the knockout phase of the competition. Meanwhile, Inter Miami will take on group leaders Palmeiras where a point would be enough for both teams to progress.
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Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
