When FIFA president Gianni Infantino got the idea of a new FIFA Club World Cup, he knew that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would be a crowd pleasers, especially for the not so interested USA crowd. He was pushing for Ronaldo to be there and failed, but he succeeded with Messi. Inter Miami have been selected by FIFA as the representatives of the host nation thanks to their win in the MLS Supporters Shield in 2024. But the idea was that Messi should be involved in the tournament and it worked. After a bad display of the whole team and a goalless draw against Egyptian gians Al Ahli, Inter Miami played much better against much stronger Porto, but what is most important for Infantino, it was Messi who shined in a 2-1 win.50 – Lionel Messi has scored 50 goals for @InterMiamiCF, needing just 61 appearances to reach that mark. Landmark. pic.twitter.com/blVPHogeph— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 19, 2025 The Argentinian ace is not what it used to be but still magic enough to give great passes and to resolve the game when needed. And he did exactly that tonight with a 97 minute display. He wasn‘t all-present and dominant like a few years ago, but nobody expected to. To be fair, Messi could have scored not one, but two goals and Porto would still win the game, if their players were more concentrated. But they didn‘t and missed four good opportunities, while Messi didn‘t missed his. In the 54th minute, he got the best possible chance: a free kick just shy of 20 meters. Big players use their chances and Messi is the biggest of them all and he just brought his teammates three points.Unlike some goalless draws in the tournament, we saw the first goal after just six minutes. Inter‘s Allen just fractionally touched Fernandes on the foot but the referee looked at the incident after VAR suggestion and gave a soft penalty, which the Spanish striker of Nigerian decent Samu Aghehowa turned into an early lead. Both teams continued to attack and Inter‘s first miss came from former Barca and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in the 19th minute. It was a big miss for such an experienced striker as he found himself one-on-one with Porto keeper after a Messi assist but managed to shoot straight at the goalie. The Portugal giant was a better team in the first half and had two great opportunities to finish the game then, but missed them all. Mora beat the Inter goalkeeper with his shot, only for Falcon to produce an amazing headed clearance off the line in the 40th minute. Soon after, Porto was in great opportunity again, but this time it was Varela with a thunderbolt from 20 meters, but the ball stroke the post and keeper Ustari, who somehow managed to claw the ball away, preventing a score.53′ ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? 🐐Messi scores a GORGEOUS free kick goal and @InterMiami are now leading 2-1 versus @FCPorto! Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #MIAFCP pic.twitter.com/KvshKKFrrY— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 19, 2025 Telasco Segovia rips it for the first @FIFACWC goal for Miami. 💥🇻🇪@InterMiamiCF level against Porto in Atlanta.pic.twitter.com/lf1tUhBIeg— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2025 Samu Aghehowa | 🇺🇸 Inter Miami 0-1 Porto 🇵🇹pic.twitter.com/l1hOKf4aHd— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) June 19, 2025 But in the second half, Miami pushed a bit harder and soon changed the game completely. It was just two minutes into the second half when Inter broke down the right side and Segovia was ready in the penalty area to put the ball into the top corner for an equalizer. But the sweetest moment came in the 54th minute, when the referee awarded free kick from around 20 meters from the goal. Messi took the ball and scored his 50th goal for Miami and for the total turnaround. Porto managed to create two excellent opportunities just like in the first half, but missed them both, just like in the first half. They will have a sleepless night after this game, which could also get them home early into the tournament. FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025Matchday 2ThursdayPalmeiras – Al Ahly Cairo 2-0 (0-0)/Abou Ali (og) 49, Lopez 59/Inter Miami – Porto 2-1 (0-1)/Segovia 47, Messi 54 – Aghehowa 8(p)/Friday00:55: (8.00) Seattle (4.60) Atletico Madrid (1.40)04:00: (1.23) PSG (6.50) Botafogo (12.0)19:00: (1.01) Benfica (17.0) Auckland (95.0)21:00: (4.40) Flamengo (3.50) Chelsea (1.85)Saturday00:55: (1.90) Los Angeles (3.45) Esperance (4.20)04:00: (1.22) Bayern (6.50) Boca Juniors (12.0)19:00: (9.00) Mamelodi (5.80) Dortmund (1.30)22:00: (1.20) Inter Milan (6.75) Urawa RD (14.0)Sunday00:55: (1.27) Fluminense (5.60) Ulsan (12.0)04:00: (2.15) River Plate (3.35) Monterrey (3.45)19:00: (1.22) Juventus (6.25) Wydad Casablanca (14.0)22:00: (1.22) Real Madrid (6.50) Pachuca (12.0)Monday00:55: (4.10) Salzburg (3.60) Al Hilal (1.88)04:00: (1.05) Man.City (14.0) Al Ain (35.0)***odds are subject to change***
