Lionel Messi has scored the winner as Inter Miami claimed its first-ever victory in FIFA's bloated and controversial Club World Cup. Messi was taken down just outside the penalty area by Rodrigo Mora after he scythed his way down the middle of the field on Friday (AEDT). With chants of "Messi! Messi!" rocking Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the 37-year-old Argentine star's left-footed blast cleared the wall and sailed into the top right corner. Inter Miami had earlier equalised thanks to Telasco Segovia's goal two minutes into the second half. Porto had struck first thanks to a contentious Samu Aghehowa penalty in just the eighth minute. Both teams came into the contest after 0-0 draws, Miami held by Cairo-based Al Ahly on Saturday and Porto suffered the same result against Palmeiras on Sunday. Messi's goal continued his good form in the calendar year. Though the team has had a slow start, he has 10 goals and seven assists in 12 starts. It felt like a home game for Miami, with an overwhelmingly pink crowd in Atlanta. With Messi's 38th birthday less than a week away, his continued success is a positive sign for fans, including the thousands wearing his number 10 jerseys inside the stadium, that his retirement is not imminent.