Inter Miami 2-1 Porto: Messi inspires comeback win against Portuguese giants | OneFootball

Inter Miami completed a thrilling comeback against Porto to win their first game of the FIFA Club World Cup. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia hosted one of the most entertaining games of the tournament so far, in what could prove to be a crucial result in Group A.

Porto took the lead from the penalty spot following a controversial VAR decision in which Noah Allen of Inter Miami was called to have fouled Porto’s João Mário in the box. Striker Samu Aghehowa converted to give his side an early lead.

Both teams threatened throughout the first half, but Porto held onto their lead as the half came to a close.

Inter Miami came out for the second half in full swing, in a bid to stay with a chance of progressing to the knockout stages. Midfielder Telasco Segovia instantly replied for his side, striking home a powerful shot from inside the box to make things a goal a-piece. Inter Miami’s momentum grew, and eight minutes into the second half, Lionel Messi curled home a well-executed free-kick to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Despite Porto dominating possession in the second half, they were unable to find an equaliser. Inter Miami’s win puts them into second place in Group A behind Palmeiras, now only needing a point to qualify for the knockout stages. Porto now linger in third position, and will need to win their final group game against Al Ahly to have a chance of progressing.

As it happened

Inter Miami had a bright start to the game, and the Messi-Luis Suárez connection was on display early on. The Argentine put in a dangerous cross in the first minute, which Suárez hit straight at Porto keeper Cláudio Ramos. Shortly after, Inter Miami missed another chance to go ahead, as Suárez was unable to get on the end of Messi’s through ball.

The game then took an early turn of events. In the fifth minute, Inter Miami defender Allen brought down Porto’s Mário just inside the box. The challenge was initially turned away by referee Cristián Garay, but on review, he judged there to be enough contact sufficient for a penalty. Porto striker Samu stepped up for the penalty, his shot reaching the bottom left corner despite a hand from Inter Miami keeper Oscar Ustari to give Porto the lead.

Following this, the game sprung into action, and turned into a cagey end-to-end affair. Both sides had key chances throughout the first half, as Inter Miami piled chances in search of an equaliser. Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi had a powerful low-driven shot saved by Ramos in the 35th minute.

Porto looked the more dangerous side despite Inter Miami’s chances. Just before the end of the first half, Arsenal loanee Fábio Vieira nearly put Porto two goals up when his shot from outside the box hit the right post, with Inter Miami keeper Ustari adjusting to make a brilliant save.

The teams went into the break with Porto in the lead, and Inter Miami under pressure.

The side from the U.S. replied immediately at the start of the second half. Only 86 seconds after the restart, Segovia latched on to Marcelo Weigandt’s cross from the right-hand side to dispatch shot into the roof of the net, drawing his side level.

The goal sparked confidence into Inter Miami, who played with a new-found tempo in search of a secnd goal. In the 53rd minute of the game, Messi was fouled on the edge of the box by Porto defender Zé Pédro, in what was a dangerous position for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to strike. In trademark fashion, Messi’s curled shot around the wall found the top right corner to turn the game on its head.

Porto seemed to lose the momentum they had showed in the first half, despite having the majority of possession. Samu continued to threaten the Inter Miami defence, but was unable to find a breakthrough.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano ensured his team stuck to a defensive set-up after they took the lead, which saw them close the game, securing their first win of the competition.

The lineups

INT: Ustari; Fray, Falcón, Weigandt, Allen; Allende, Cremaschi, Busquets, Segovia; Messi, Suárez