ATLANTA -- Lionel Messi connected on a free kick in the 54th minute to propel Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over FC Porto in a Group A match of the FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday afternoon.
After Porto struck first on Samu Aghehowa's penalty kick in the eighth minute, Marcelo Weigandt assisted on Telasco Segovia's game-tying goal in the 47th.
Miami found its second goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half against Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos as Messi scored on the 68th free-kick goal of his illustrious career.
Each team netted their first goals of the tournament after Miami tied Al Ahly 0-0 on Saturday and Porto suffered the same result against Palmeiras on Sunday.
After VAR review confirmation, it was determined that Miami's Noah Allen committed a tripping penalty in the box against Joao Mario, leading to Aghehowa's penalty goal that was deflected by goalkeeper Oscar Ustari and in for the game's first goal in the eighth minute.
Aghehowa, 21, had 19 goals in 30 Primeira Liga matches for the Portuguese side this past season.
Miami knotted the score at one less than 90 seconds into the second half, as Weigandt's cross into the center of the box was finished by Segovia, who fired in the equalizing goal past a sprawling Ramos.
Miami then continued its great start to the second half, as Porto's Rodrigo Mora's foul led to Messi's successful free kick -- perfectly placed in the top right corner in the 54th minute.
--Jack Batten, Field Level Media
Related News
10 Jul, 2025
Startups are using Nvidia's AI GPUs as c . . .
01 Apr, 2025
Rapid Rangers hero declared 'top-level' . . .
01 Apr, 2025
NYT Connections today hints and answers . . .
06 May, 2025
India Women Vs South Africa Women 5th OD . . .
01 Apr, 2025
Usain Bolt's dad Wellesley dies aged 68 . . .
25 Apr, 2025
Energy bills forecast to fall this summe . . .
24 Apr, 2025
What Mauricio Pochettino wants besides ' . . .
08 May, 2025
Drone Attack: ଭାରତର ଜୋରଦାର ଆକ୍ରମଣ, PSL ମ . . .