Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the expanded Club World Cup on Thursday with a patented free kick, giving Inter Miami a historic 2-1 win over Portugal‘s FC Porto.
Messi, one of the biggest stars in the 32-team tournament, was taken down just outside the penalty area by Rodrigo Mora on a run down the middle of the field.
With the crowd at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium chanting “Messi!” over and over again, his left-footed blast cleared the Porto wall and ripped the net in the top right corner in the 54th minute.
Inter Miami trailed 1-0 at the break, but Telasco Segovia tied it two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from from Marcelo Weigandt. Then it was time for the 37-year-old Argentine to shine.
Messi’s strike meant Miami became the first Concacaf team to beat a European opponent in a FIFA international club competition. It was also Messi’s 50th Miami goal in all competitions, in his 61st appearance.
The win puts Miami level on points with Palmeiras at the top of Group A ahead of the two teams facing off in the final round of group matches on Monday.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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