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Lionel Messi scored a stunning free-kick to give Inter Miami a shock 2-1 victory over Porto in the Club World Cup.
The Argentine star curled the set piece into the top right corner in the second half at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium to see Miami become the first US side to claim a win at the tournament.
One-time Chelsea target Samu Aghehowa had given Porto an early lead from the penalty spot after just eight minutes.
But Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia levelled two minutes into the second half for Miami, before Messi’s beautifully curled free-kick from just outside the area.
The 37-year-old, who scored his 50th goal for Miami in just 61 appearances, gave Porto keeper Claudio Ramos no chance and his goal sparked wild celebrations among Miami’s players and fans.
Following his decisive intervention, the Argentine icon was named man of the match as the David Beckham-owned side held on for a major upset.
Pundits and fans showered Messi with praise after full-time, with Shay Given effusive towards the forward.
‘With Lionel Messi, he can do either, he can go to the goalkeeper’s side or the other side,’ he said on DAZN’s coverage of the game.
‘He gets a lot of pace on it, and it’s difficult for the goalkeeper to react. It is just phenomenal from Lionel Messi. You think of his age, and can he still do it? Too right, he can still do it!
‘He wants to prove to the world that he is still banging the goals in.’
Former Portugal and Southampton defender Jose Fonte added: ‘Effortless. You see that Lionel Messi understands every moment of the game.
‘His decision-making is 99 per cent correct. He still has a turn of pace. We saw him sprinting, and he still has that turn of pace where he can beat anyone.
‘We are in for a good competition, and we’re in for some Messi magic in this Club World Cup.’
Meanwhile, supporters were also quick to laud Messi as one raved: ‘He is incredible! Messi is from another planet! Give him the Ballon d’Or!’
Another added: ‘Let’s be clear – if Messi truly felt like it, he could stroll into any top league, dictate games weekly and still have the Ballon d’Or waiting on standby.
‘The gift isn’t fading. It’s eternal. He doesn’t chase the game – the game bends to him.’
A further supporter chimed in with: ‘Messi isn’t just a man. He’s a phenomenon. He’s a celestial event, a once-in-a-lifetime alignment of the stars, a cosmic masterpiece sculpted by the football gods themselves.
‘When he moves, it’s not just movement, it’s poetry. Every dribble, every pass, every goal, every touch.’
At Miami, Messi plays alongside former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets and is managed by Javier Mascherano.
They qualified for the Club World Cup after winning the MLS Supporters’ Shield and endured a goalless draw against Al-Ahly in the tournament’s opening game on Sunday.
Messi’s finish was his first goal at the Club World Cup since he netted for Barcelona against River Plate 10 years ago in the previous iteration of the tournament.
Miami’s victory means they are also the first team to win a match after coming from behind at the tournament and they have a three point advantage over Porto and Al-Ahly heading into their final group game against Palmeiras on Tuesday.
