More Messi magic as Inter Miami beat Porto at Club WC
More Messi magic as Inter Miami beat Porto at Club WC
Lionel Messi was the hero as Inter Miami look set to advance to the knockout stage. Photo: Reuters
A Lionel Messi trademark free-kick earned Inter Miami a shock 2-1 comeback win against Porto in the Club World Cup.
The Argentine superstar found the top corner with a second half set-piece to clinch a surprise victory for the MLS side and give them a strong chance of progressing from Group A.
Inter Miami and Palmeiras have four points each, after the Brazilian side beat Al Ahly 2-0 earlier on – the Egyptians, like Porto, have one point.
Samu Aghehowa's early penalty gave the Portuguese side the lead as they had the better of the first half and could have scored more.
However Telasco Segovia blasted Miami level and then Messi's free-kick helped them claim a noteworthy scalp, in a match many thought would be straightforward for Porto.
"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."
Even with Messi, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was under half-full at kick-off, hamstrung by another 3:00pm kick-off on a working day as it was for Chelsea's opener against Los Angeles FC at the same venue.
More fans entered throughout the game, with nearly 32,000 present in the end. (AFP)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
More Messi magic as Inter Miami beat Porto at Club WC
More Messi magic as Inter Miami beat Porto at Club WC Lionel Messi was the hero as Inter Miami look set to advance to the knockout stage. Photo: Reuters A Lionel Messi trademark free-kick earned Inter Miami a shock 2-1 comeback win against Porto in the Club World Cup. The Argentine superstar found the top corner with a second half set-piece to clinch a surprise victory for the MLS side and give them a strong chance of progressing from Group A. Inter Miami and Palmeiras have four points each, after the Brazilian side beat Al Ahly 2-0 earlier on – the Egyptians, like Porto, have one point. Samu Aghehowa's early penalty gave the Portuguese side the lead as they had the better of the first half and could have scored more. However Telasco Segovia blasted Miami level and then Messi's free-kick helped them claim a noteworthy scalp, in a match many thought would be straightforward for Porto. "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." Even with Messi, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was under half-full at kick-off, hamstrung by another 3:00pm kick-off on a working day as it was for Chelsea's opener against Los Angeles FC at the same venue. More fans entered throughout the game, with nearly 32,000 present in the end. (AFP)
RTHK
2 days ago
- RTHK
Chelsea's Mudryk charged over anti-doping violation
Chelsea's Mudryk charged over anti-doping violation Chelsea had initially ruled out the Ukrainian winger for illness, before news of the doping violation broke last December. File photo: Reuters Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged by England's Football Association with violating anti-doping rules after failing a drugs test. Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since his provisional suspension by the FA for an "adverse finding in a routine urine test" in December. The Ukraine international at the time said he was in "complete shock" and he "never knowingly used any banned substances". But Mudryk could face a potential ban of up to four years under FA rules. An FA statement on Wednesday said: "We can confirm that Mykhailo Mudryk has been charged with anti-doping rule violations alleging the presence and/or use of a prohibited substance, in terms of regulations three and four of the FA's anti-doping regulations. "As this is an ongoing case, we are not in a position to comment further at this time." Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, 24-year-old Mudryk was reported to have had the prohibited performance enhancing substance meldonium in his positive test. Earlier this month, Mudryk's number 10 shirt was given to Cole Palmer for next season, leaving the Ukraine international without a squad number at Stamford Bridge. The positive test was returned shortly after he had been away on international duty with Ukraine in November. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca initially said the winger was ill when asked to explain the four-game period he was absent from the team prior to the suspension being made public. Mudryk's time at Chelsea has been dogged by inconsistency, with erratic performances only occasionally off-set by flashes of his ability. He has scored just 10 goals in 73 appearances in all competitions for the Blues. (AFP)
RTHK
3 days ago
- RTHK
Alcaraz kicks off grass season with win in Queen's
Alcaraz kicks off grass season with win in Queen's Alcaraz with Australia's Adam Walton after winning his opening match at the Queen's in London. Photo: Reuters Carlos Alcaraz came through a testing first-round match against Adam Walton at the Queen's Club Championships, as the top seed returned to action for the first time since his dramatic French Open triumph. But two of the world's top 10 crashed out as Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton lost to French duo Corentin Moutet and Arthur Rinderknech respectively. Alcaraz, back on grass for the first time since winning his second Wimbledon title last year, beat his 86th-ranked opponent 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on a sweaty day in west London. The Spaniard, who overcame Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller at Roland Garros just nine days ago, broke in the seventh game and went on to clinch the first set against lucky loser Walton, who replaced Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after he withdrew due to illness. The 2023 Queen's champion appeared to have found his rhythm only for Walton to rally impressively, carving out two set points on his opponent's serve in the 10th game. But the Australian failed to convert either of them and Alcaraz levelled, coming out on top in the subsequent tie-break. "First match on grass is never easy to get used to the competition again, to get used to the grass again," he said. "So, I just want to say thank you for helping me a little bit." The world number two faces compatriot Jaume Munar in the last 16. World number four Fritz failed to convert a match point against Moutet before losing 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (9/7), 7-5. Moutet held on in the second set tie-break before securing the only break of serve in the match in the final game. Sheldon also stumbled to a shock early exit to Rinderknech in two tie-breaks 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4). Earlier, British second seed Jack Draper dispatched American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second round. The left-hander, who has previously beaten Sinner and Alcaraz at Queen's, won 93 percent of first-serve points and did not face a break point in a dominant display. Draper is chasing his second title on grass after winning in Stuttgart last year, and will next face Alexei Popyrin after the Australian beat compatriot Aleksandar Vukic. "Feels amazing, no place I'd rather be," said Draper. "We travel the world playing tennis, never get to come home or spend much time with my family but to be on this court in front of you guys, my people, my family, thank you." (AFP)
