23 hours Ago
Miami was forced to rally from a 0-1 deficit at the half. The visitor managed to tie with less than two minutes played into the second half, as Telasco Segovia converted a precise cross from Marcelo Weigandt. Then, in the 68th minute, Messi had a free-kick from just outside the box and whipped it beyond the wall and into the top right corner — a goal that left the Porto keeper rooted to the spot and the crowd buzzing.
Mascherano and Messi discuss the victory.
The Miami head coach, Javier Mascherano, lauded Messi’s overall impact. “Beyond his goal, he shows us how to compete, his hunger and spirit lift the entire team.” This, for Mascherano, demonstrated exactly why Messi was the player he was, still fighting when he could barely run and had a knock, leading by example to others.
Messi described the goal as a strategic choice. getImage“The goalkeeper wasn’t covering his post and I took full advantage,” he said. Looking back on the victory, Messi said it was good comeback result for the team after an early tough result for the team. “We were the better team today, but we have our weapons. Now we turn our attention to Palmeiras — another very difficult game.”
Inter Miami’s historic triumph doesn’t just keep their Club World Cup journey alive, but once again underlines the enduring brilliance of their talismanic No 10.
