Inter Miami have one foot in the next round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with Lionel Messi helping the Major League Soccer side come from a goal down to secure a 2-1 win over FC Porto in a Group A match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Messi and co had to fight for the historic win – the first time an MLS club has defeated a European side in competitive football – as the Portuguese giants broke the deadlock in the eighth minute after a VAR review ruled that Noah Allen had fouled Joao Mario just inside the area.
Spanish striker, Samu Omorodion, stepped up to score the penalty, which Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari came close to saving but agonisingly saw the ball hit his glove and squirm into the net.
Inter Miami continued to create chances to score in the first half, with Messi setting up Luis Suarez but the striker was denied by Porto’s Claudio Ramos, who made further saves to help keep the former European champions ahead.
Porto came close to extending their lead just before the break when a long-range effort from Omorodion crashed off the post and hit the back of Inter Miami keeper, Ustari, who recovered in time to swab the ball from rolling into the net.
Inter Miami’s attacking forays paid off in the first 10 minutes of the second half, with Telasco Segovia smashing in the equaliser two minutes into the second period, meeting Weigandt’s cross into the box with a first-time volley past Ramos.
Messi went close to scoring with a free-kick three minutes later, but not heeding the warning signs, Porto conceded another free-kick and Messi made sure to make Martin Anselmi’s side pay by sending his effort into the top corner after 55 minutes.
The goal saw Porto start probing for a second goal and came close through Omorodion, but the MLS side held on to claim a memorable win and join Palmeiras on four points at the top of Group A ahead of a top-of-the-table clash with the Brazilians in the final round of the group stage.