On a sunny Thursday afternoon, June 19, 2025, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA, buzzed with excitement as Inter Miami took on Portugal’s FC Porto in a thrilling FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A match. Indian football fans, who stayed up past midnight to watch, were treated to a masterclass from Lionel Messi, whose stunning 54th-minute free-kick sealed a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory for the Major League Soccer (MLS) side. This win marked Inter Miami’s first-ever triumph in the tournament and sent shockwaves through the football world, proving that the American club could hold its own against European giants.
A Rocky Start for Inter Miami
The match didn’t begin as Inter Miami had hoped. Porto, known for their disciplined defence and sharp attacking play in the UEFA Champions League, struck early. In the 8th minute, a clumsy foul by Inter Miami’s young defender Noah Allen inside the penalty box led to a penalty for Porto. Samu Aghehowa, Porto’s promising striker, stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, giving Porto a 1-0 lead. The early goal silenced the 31,783 fans in the stadium, many of whom were wearing Messi’s pink No. 10 jersey, hoping to see their hero shine.
Inter Miami struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. Despite Messi dropping deep into midfield to orchestrate plays, his teammates couldn’t convert his pinpoint passes into goals. Luis Suarez, the former Barcelona star, came close with a clever attempt to chip Porto’s goalkeeper Claudio Ramos, but Ramos made a crucial save. Porto, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counter. Francesco Moura had a shot cleared off the line, and midfielder Alan Varela rattled the post, leaving Inter Miami grateful to go into halftime only one goal behind.
The Second-Half Turnaround
Whatever head coach Javier Mascherano said in the dressing room at halftime worked wonders. Inter Miami came out firing in the second half, showing a newfound energy and determination. Just two minutes after the restart, in the 47th minute, right-back Marcelo Weigandt delivered a brilliant low cross from the right flank. Young midfielder Telasco Segovia met the ball with a thunderous half-volley, smashing it into the top corner to level the score at 1-1. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Inter Miami players and fans, who sensed a comeback was on the cards.
The momentum was now firmly with Inter Miami, and Messi was at the heart of everything. In the 53rd minute, the 37-year-old Argentine legend was fouled by Porto’s Rodrigo Mora just outside the penalty area, earning a free-kick in a dangerous position. Indian fans watching on their screens knew this was Messi’s territory—a set-piece right at the edge of the box, perfect for his left foot. Moments earlier, Messi had curled a free-kick just wide, but this time, he was not going to miss.
Messi’s Moment of Magic
As Messi stood over the ball, the stadium held its breath. Porto’s defensive wall jumped, and goalkeeper Claudio Ramos dived desperately to his left, but it was no use. Messi’s left-footed free-kick was a work of art—curling over the wall and nestling into the top-right corner of the net. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted, and Indian fans on social media went wild, flooding platforms like X with posts calling it “Messi magic” and “the GOAT at work.” This was Messi’s 50th goal for Inter Miami in just 61 appearances and his 68th direct free-kick goal in his glittering career.
The goal not only gave Inter Miami a 2-1 lead but also broke a historical record. With this strike, Messi became the all-time leading scorer in FIFA competitions, surpassing Brazilian legend Marta with 25 goals across 10 tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup and U-20 World Cup. For Indian fans, who have followed Messi’s journey from his Barcelona days to his World Cup triumph in 2022, this was yet another reminder of why he’s considered the greatest footballer ever.
Holding On for Victory
Porto didn’t go down without a fight. Trailing 2-1, they pushed hard for an equalizer, throwing on attacking substitutes like Gonçalo Borges to stretch Inter Miami’s defence. In the 83rd minute, Porto’s William Gomes cut inside and unleashed a fierce shot, but it was blocked by a resolute Inter Miami backline. In stoppage time, Samu Aghehowa skied a golden chance over the bar, much to the relief of Inter Miami’s players and fans.
Messi, named the Superior Player of the Match, showed his experience in the final minutes, cleverly winning fouls to run down the clock. One moment even saw Porto’s Fabio Vieira nutmeg Messi, earning a smile and a handshake from the Argentine—a rare light-hearted moment in a tense finish. Inter Miami’s defence, led by Sergio Busquets and young players like Benjamin Cremaschi and Ian Fray, held firm, ensuring the 2-1 scoreline remained intact until the final whistle.
What This Win Means for Inter Miami
This victory was more than just three points for Inter Miami. It was a statement to the world that an MLS team, only six years old, could compete with a club like Porto, who have won the European Cup twice. Inter Miami now sit second in Group A with four points, level with Brazil’s Palmeiras, who beat Al Ahly 2-0 on the same day. Porto, with just one point from two matches, face an uphill battle to reach the knockout rounds.
For Indian fans, this match was a celebration of Messi’s enduring brilliance. At nearly 38 years old, he’s still producing moments of genius that light up stadiums and screens across the globe. The win also boosts Inter Miami’s chances of advancing to the Round of 16. Their final group match against Palmeiras on June 23, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, will decide their fate. A draw will be enough to see them through, but with Messi in this form, they’ll be dreaming of topping the group.
A Milestone for MLS and Indian Fans
This match was also a historic moment for MLS. Inter Miami became the first MLS team to win a match in the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup format, and they did it against European opposition. For Indian football fans, who are increasingly drawn to global leagues like MLS thanks to stars like Messi, this was a chance to see their idol shine on a major stage. The fact that every Club World Cup match is streamed free on DAZN made it accessible to millions in India, where Messi’s fanbase is massive.
As the final whistle blew, Messi celebrated with his teammates, including Suarez and Busquets, who also played crucial roles. Coach Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi’s at Barcelona, praised his team’s spirit, saying, “We showed we can compete with anyone when we play together.” For Indian fans, this was a night to cherish—a reminder that Messi’s magic knows no boundaries, whether it’s in Barcelona, Paris, or now, Miami.
Also Read : Large-Scale Data Breaches Leak Passwords, Prompting Security Concerns in India
Last Updated on: Friday, June 20, 2025 11:38 am by Naga Surya Teja Ganpisetty | Published by: Naga Surya Teja Ganpisetty on Friday, June 20, 2025 11:38 am | News Categories: Sports
About Us: News Vent covers the latest News on Current News, Business, Sports, Tech, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Automobiles, and more, led by Editor-in-Chief Ankur Srivastava. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Google News, and Whatsapp Channel.
Disclaimer: At News Vent, we are committed to providing accurate, reliable, and thoroughly verified information, sourced from trusted media outlets. For more details, please visit our About, Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions. If you have any questions, feedback, or concerns, feel free to contact us through email.
Contact Us: m.siddarthayadav.qitech@gmail.com
About The Author
