Lionel Messi strikes as Inter Miami stun Porto at Club World Cup
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Inter Miami's Lionel Messi scores their second goal from a free kick.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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ATLANTA – Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano admitted that he was surprised at Lionel Messi’s desire to win, after the Major League Soccer (MLS) side shocked Porto at the Club World Cup on June 19.
Veteran playmaker Messi curled home a fine free kick in a man-of-the-match performance at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, scoring the winning goal in Miami’s 2-1 Group A victory over their Portuguese opponents.
Following the win, Mascherano said that what amazed him most was his Argentinian compatriot’s competitive spirit at 37, rather than the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s quality.
“Beyond his goal... he’s a player who shows us how to compete, his hunger, his desire to continue competing at whatever level it is,” the coach told reporters.
“In a footballing sense, what else is there to say? He’s the best player that has played this sport in its history, but what is surprising is his will to win.
“Today, even in the last minutes, tired, with a knock, he kept helping the team in any way he could, in attack, in defence, to get the result... We know having him gives us an advantage, but above all, through his contagious spirit, the winning spirit that he has.”
Many had expected Porto to beat Miami, but the American side recorded the first victory for an MLS team against European opposition in a competitive match, and the first shock at the Club World Cup.
Samu Aghehowa’s early penalty gave Porto the lead as they had the better of the first half. However, Telasco Segovia blasted Miami level, and then Messi’s 54th-minute free kick helped them claim victory.
Porto’s Samu Aghehowa scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot, past Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari.
PHOTO: AFP
“I think that we understood that in football there are obviously hierarchies, and we were facing against a team at a high level, with international players,” added Mascherano.
“But we were convinced that if we did what we had to do, if we had a plan, if we supported each other, if we were together, but above all, if we dared to play, we could compete.”
Miami forward Fafa Picault also had high praise for Messi.
“I had a feeling (the free kick) was going in. That was a great goal, a great show of leadership and coming in a clutch moment for us,” he said.
Argentinian Lionel Messi finding the top corner with a second-half free kick to clinch a surprise victory for MLS side Inter Miami.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Miami and Palmeiras have four points each, after the Brazilian side beat Al Ahly 2-0 earlier – the Egyptian side like Porto, have one point.
“It’s a huge joy, the whole team made a big effort, we worked really well,” Messi told Dazn.
“It’s a really important win for us, and we have to enjoy it... You can see that we want to compete, and today we competed against a really good European team. We knew that today we were weaker, but we had our strengths.
“The other day (there were) nerves from a lot of young guys playing in such a significant competition. We’ve changed. We’re going to compete, try to play our game.
“Next up is Palmeiras, which is a big club in the world. It’s going to be another very difficult game.” AFP, REUTERS
