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ATLANTA — Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the expanded Club World Cup on a patented free kick in the 54th minute to break a tie in Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Porto on Thursday.
Messi was taken down just outside the penalty area by Rodrigo Mora on a run down the middle of the field. With chants of “Messi! Messi!” rocking Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 37-year-old Argentine star’s left-footed blast cleared the wall and sailed into the top right corner.
Inter Miami tied it at 1-all on Telasco Segovia’s goal two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from from Marcelo Weigandt.
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) scores their second goal with a free kick during the second half. Kai Pfaffenbach-Reuters via Imagn Images
Messi’s goal serves as a continuation of good form in the calendar year. Though the team has had a slow start, he has 10 goals and six assists in 12 starts in Major League Soccer. It felt like a home game for Miami, with an overwhelmingly pink crowd in Atlanta.
“The whole team made a great effort,” Messi told DAZN. “We controlled the ball very well, and we’re very happy.”
No matter where you are in the world, you can watch the FIFA Club World Cup for free on DAZN. All you need to get started is an email address. No subscription is required, but you will have to make a free account on the streamer to start watching.
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With Messi’s 38th birthday less than a week away, his continued success is a positive sign for fans, including the thousands wearing No. 10 jerseys inside the stadium, that his retirement is still a ways away.
The MLS club and two-time European champion Porto were held to scoreless draws in their opening Group A matches.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF kicks the ball against Claudio Ramos of FC Porto. FIFA via Getty Images
Inter Miami CF midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi (30) heads the ball during the second half. Kai Pfaffenbach-Reuters via Imagn Images“Extraordinary,” Weigandt said. “When I saw the ball take off with such power I said, ‘No, that’s it’. We’re already used to this kind of thing. … Knowing him has shown me what a great person he is, and that only makes him greater and more extraordinary.”
