Messi Magic: Miami's Maestro Delivers Historic Herons' Victory

Inter Miami pulled off a massive result in Atlanta this Wednesday afternoon, coming from behind to defeat FC Porto 2-1 in Group A play at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. It’s a statement win that could go down as one of the most significant in MLS history, putting Miami on the verge of the knockout stage.

(photos by Sofia Cupertino for the SDH Network)

The game opened with an early blow to Inter Miami as Porto earned a penalty in the 8th minute after João Mário was brought down by Noah Allen just inside the box. Samu Aghehowa converted from the spot, beating Sebastián Ustari despite the Miami goalkeeper guessing correctly and getting a hand to the shot.

Despite trailing, Miami controlled much of the first half. Lionel Messi orchestrated several dangerous sequences, including a quick early through ball to Luis Suárez, who couldn’t quite convert. The Messi to Suárez connection sparked multiple chances, but Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos—along with some very good defending—kept the Herons off the board. Alan Varela came closest to equalizing when his long-range strike hit off the post, bounced off Ustari’s back, and was narrowly gathered in with the outstretched hand of the goalkeeper. Still, the Portuguese side remained a threat on the counter, and frustration ramped up for both teams heading into halftime.

Inter Miami came out of the break flying. Just moments after the restart, Marcelo Weigandt overlapped Tadeo Allende and whipped in a low cross from the right wing to Telasco Segovia, whose rocket from inside the 18-yard-box tied the match at 1-1 in the 47th minute.

Lionel Messi then took over. In the 53rd minute, he narrowly missed curling in a free kick from distance, but just one minute later, he was given another opportunity. Backing up from where the foul originally occurred, Messi carved out space and launched a free kick into the top right corner to give Inter Miami a 2-1 lead.

Porto responded with urgency and nearly equalized on several occasions, with Fabio Vieira and Aghehowa creating late pressure. But Miami’s backline held firm—especially in stoppage time, when Ustari came up with a crucial save to keep the result.

With this win, Inter Miami takes control of Group A and puts themselves in prime position to advance. For MLS, it’s a big moment—one of the league’s clubs toppling a major European power in a FIFA tournament, echoing the Seattle Sounders’ 2022 Champions League triumph over Pumas of Mexico and DC United's 1998 Copa Interamericana win over Vasco da Gama of Brazil.