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India Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- India Today
Club World Cup: Vintage Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami's win vs Porto, Botafogo stuns PSG
Lionel Messi rolled back the years as he helped guide Inter Miami to a historic win over FC Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup clash on Friday, June 20. The footballing icon produced yet another magical free-kick to give his side a 2-1 victory over the Portuguese from a goalless draw in their opening fixture against Al Ahly, Inter Miami came out with a point to prove and toppled the Portuguese giants in what was a landmark win. It marked the first time a CONCACAF team had defeated a European side in an official took an early lead after earning a penalty, which Samuel Aghehowa converted. However, Miami's Venezuelan winger, Telasco Segovia, levelled the scores early in the second half, latching onto a cross from Marcelo Weigandt and finishing confidently. But it was Messi who ultimately stole the spotlight, delivering a trademark free-kick from just outside the penalty area to put his team ahead-an advantage they held onto until the final to the media post-match, Messi revealed the team was determined to bounce back from their opening draw and make a statement."It's a great joy. A lot of effort went into it, and we worked very well. I'm very happy. We were left with a bitter taste after the first match. We thought we could have won it," Messi his stunning set-piece, Messi kept his explanation simple, attributing the goal to noticing a gap left by the took advantage of the space left by the goalkeeper, who was standing still and not covering his post. I tried to score there,' he UPSET OF THE SEASON?The reigning UEFA Champions League winners, Paris Saint-Germain, were left stunned after suffering a shock defeat to Brazilian top-flight champions though PSG rotated their squad slightly, the side still featured the likes of Dsir Dou, Gonalo Ramos, and Warren Zare-Emery. Yet the French giants failed to find their rhythm and ultimately paid the Jesus scored the only goal of the match in the 36th minute. A well-timed through ball from Jefferson Savarino split the defence, allowing Jesus to cut past the final defenders and squeeze a shot past the keeper. Though the ball took a deflection, it managed to roll over the held on to their lead for the remainder of the game. PSG had their chances, including a 79th-minute goal that was ruled out for MADRID BACK TO WINNING WAYSAfter being outclassed by PSG in their opener, Atltico Madrid roared back into form. Pablo Barrios scored a brace and Axel Witsel added another in a commanding 3-1 win over MLS side Seattle opened the scoring in the 11th minute, smashing the ball in from the box after being set up by Giovanni who came on at halftime, scored shortly after. A long-range effort from Marcos Llorente struck the crossbar, and the Belgian international was on hand to tap in the conceding a goal to the Sounders, Barrios struck again to put the result beyond doubt and ensure Atltico returned to winning Reel
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Lionel Messi stuns Porto with a classic free-kick for Inter Miami in the Club World Cup as fans erupt on social media
Lionel Messi once again reminded everyone why he's still a magician on the pitch. His 54th-minute free kick helped Inter Miami defeat FC Porto 2-1 in their FIFA Club World Cup group match in Atlanta. Messi was brought down just outside the box while charging down the centre, setting up a golden chance for his favourite kind of goal. The stadium crowd chanted 'Messi, Messi' as he lined up the kick. What followed was pure magic. A left-footed strike that curled over the wall and straight into the top corner, leaving Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos frozen. It was Messi's 68th free kick goal, and easily one of the finest in recent memory. MESSI MAGIC ONCE AGAIN ☄️🐐What a free kick from the goat at the FIFA Club World Cup. Fans react with love and disbelief Social media went into a frenzy the moment the ball hit the net. One fan posted, 'MESSI FREE KICK GOAL AGAINST A EUROPEAN TEAM IN BIG 25 TALK NICEE.' It was a reminder that even on the world stage, Messi can still deliver in the big moments. LIONEL MESSI FREE KICK GOAL !!!!!!THE GREATEST THERE IS, THE GREATEST THERE WAS AND THE GREATEST THERE WILL EVER BE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another supporter simply wrote, 'LIONEL MESSI FREE KICK GOAL !!!!! THE GREATEST THERE IS, THE GREATEST THERE WAS AND THE GREATEST THERE WILL EVER BE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!', a passionate tribute that summed up how many fans were feeling after watching yet another Messi masterclass. Some fans also got emotional thinking about the future. 'It's not an easy free kick but never really had any doubts he'd score that. I'll miss these Messi free kicks when he stops,' one user said, capturing both the joy and the sense that we're watching the final chapters of a legendary career. It's not an easy free kick but never really had any doubts he'd score that. I'll miss these Messi free kicks when he stops There were also plenty of laughs. One fan joked, 'Messi looking at goalkeepers setting up their wall to try and stop his free kick' – because really, has a wall ever stopped him before? After going behind early to Samu Aghehowa's penalty, Inter Miami bounced back with a goal from Telasco Segovia in the 47th minute, before Messi gave them the win. Miami will now face Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium, while Porto will need to beat Al Ahly to stay alive in the tournament. But the biggest takeaway from the night? Messi still owns the big stage.
Forbes
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Messi The Magician Makes The Ball Disappear Into The Net For Miami's Win
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami celebrates a goal during the second half ... More FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Internacional CF Miami and FC Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) After watching Lionel Messi connect for the winning goal against his team, Porto head coach Martin Anselmi was just about at loss for words. 'What can I say about Messi?" he said. "I'm not going to say anything that's new. You know what he's capable of on the pitch.' As the fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and the rest of the world witnessed (via TV or streaming) at the FIFA Club World Cup match on Thursday. With the score tied at 1-1 at 54th minute, Messi drilled a brilliant 23-yard free kick for what turned into Inter Miami CF's winning goal in a 2-1 Group D victory. After playing Al Ahly to a scoreless draw in its first match, it was a much-needed goal and win as the Major League Soccer side kept its hopes alive of reaching the Round of 16. Inter Miami CF (1-0-1, 4 points) is in second place in its group, behind Palmeiras, which has a similar record but a superior goal differential (plus 2 to plus 1). Porto (0-1-1, minus 1) is third, Al Ahly (0-1-1, minus 2) is fourth. The top two teams will reach the knockout round. Unfortunately, Messi, named man of the match, did not make himself available to the media afterwards. At Club World Cup post-game press conferences, FIFA officials bring in the man of the match for a photo and answer a few questions. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 19: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami celebrates scoring his side's second goal ... More with team-mates Benjamin Cremaschi (C) and Luis Suarez during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Internacional CF Miami and FC Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) Well, we can say that he let his feet do the talking and left it up to head coach Javier Mascherano to marvel about the 37-year-old superstar. "His hunger, his resilience, his will to go on competing, at whatever level that may be," he added. "In football terms, what else can I add? He's the best player ever to play this sport. But his determination to win is always surprising. "And in football terms, what else can you add? Even today, in the last few minutes, when they were tired, he continued to support the team any way he could in attack and defense to achieve the results. We know that having him gives us an advantage." What makes Messi so lethal is that while the opposition can shut him during the run of play, when it comes down to set pieces such as free kicks, corner kicks or penalty kicks, it can be difficult to deny him. Let's go to the 54th minute to understand why. The game was tied at 1-1. Porto drew first blood on Samu Aghehowa's eighth-minute penalty kick in the eighth minute, before Telasco Segovia's equalizer two minutes into the second half. After Messi made a nice run down the middle of the pitch, Porto midfielder Rodrigo Mora fouled the World Cup champion about a yard outside the penalty arc. On DAZN streaming, announcer Andres Cantor said, 'This will be Leo Messi's time.' The Atlanta crowd certainly had an inkling as it chanted, "Messi! Messi! Messi!" The superstar then exacted the perfect kind of revenge on Porto and Mora, firing a left-footed line drive over the defensive wall and into the top right corner past goalkeeper Claudio Ramos for a 2-1 advantage. Inter Miami managed to hold off the Portuguese side and became the first Concacaf team to defeat a European side in a FIFA club tournament. "Today is a historic day for the club," Mascherano said. "It means we are still alive in the competition." It seems that no press conference that zeroes in on Messi cannot be without a question comparing two of the best players of the past two decades - Portugal international striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who is competing in this tournament, and Messi. MONACO, MONACO - AUGUST 29: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Virgil ... More Van Dijk of Liverpool react during the UEFA Champions League Draw, part of the UEFA European Club Football Season Kick-Off 2019/2020 at Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum on August 29, 2019 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Harold Cunningham - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) "Well, you spoke about two great players that have led to a great extent the last two decades in football, and my personal opinion is that Leo is the best player to have ever played this sport," said Mascherano, who also played with Messi on the Argentine national team years ago. "I hold no doubt about that. Of course, I'm not trying to undervalue Cristiano. He's an extraordinary player that continues to compete at the highest levels. "Obviously, those of us who have been on the field of play and know how difficult it is to play at a certain age and at this level, like was the case of today's match, [with] Leo, we need to admire that. We need to admire their level, their competitiveness, and everything that they have done, everything that they have achieved." While the win felt good, Mascherano realized that Inter Miami CF hadn't achieved anything yet, although the Herons' fate is in their own hands, or should we say their feet. The team needs to defeat Palmeiras (Brazil) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. on Monday. Of course, that's easier said than done. But when you have an extraordinary player such as Lionel Messi on your side, whatever is difficult can become possible.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FIFA Club games give Atlanta a preview of what's to come with 2026 World Cup
FIFA Club games give Atlanta a preview of what's to come with 2026 World Cup The FIFA Club World Cup concluded at Mercedes Benz Stadium with Inter Miami defeating FC Porto 2-1, drawing thousands of fans to downtown Atlanta. The event not only showcased top-tier soccer but also brought significant business to downtown Atlanta, with fans and workers expressing excitement about the game's impact. Advertisement 'They're from out of the country, down the street, all over the world,' said Jennifer Burch, lead server at Rosie's Café, highlighting the diverse crowd attracted by the event. 'When (Lionel) Messi in town, Messi a bad boy. It's like when Michael Jordan comes to town,' said Hamilton Eugene Lane Jr., an event parking attendant who capitalized on the influx of visitors by selling $30 parking spots. RELATED STORIES: Rosie's Café in downtown Atlanta experienced a surge in business, with many customers ordering popular dishes like chicken and waffles, and fish and grits. Hamilton Eugene Lane Jr. managed to earn his employer $3,000 in just a few hours by selling parking spots to fans eager to see Messi play. Advertisement Leo Huerta traveled 1,700 miles from Colombia to the U.S. with his family to witness the soccer star, underscoring Messi's global appeal. Twelve-year-old Cruz Chairez flew from Denver with his family to see his favorite player, describing Messi as 'the greatest of all time.' With Atlanta set to host eight games for the 2026 World Cup, the city is poised to welcome even more international visitors and economic activity in the near future.
News.com.au
11 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Vintage Messi delivers ‘MAGICAL' moment
Football: Lionel Messi curled in a gorgeous free-kick to put Inter Miami ahead 2-1 against FC Porto!
