Inter Miami were not considered favorites in getting out of Group A of the FIFA Club World Cup, but they still couldn't be counted out due to the team having Lionel Messi.
The Argentine star is the best player of the team and was close to giving Inter Miami a win in its first game of the Club World Cup last Friday. The MLS side drew 0-0 against Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Today, they took on FC Porto, who were the favorites to advance as leaders of Group A ahead of Inter Miami, Al Ahly, and Palmeiras. The Portuguese side drew 0-0 against Palmeiras this past weekend.
Porto were the heavy favorites against Inter Miami and demonstrated that when they took the lead early. A foul in the box in the first three minutes of the match led to Porto being awarded a penalty.
Samu Aghehowa converted the penalty to give FC Porto the lead, and they kept the scoreline at halftime. What came next led to history.
Lionel Messi's Historic Free-Kick
Before Messi's goal, Inter Miami found the equalizer in the 47th minute after a great finish in the box by Telasco Segovia. Inter Miami picked up momentum and led to a free kick near the box.
In the 54th minute, Messi scored past Cláudio Ramos to give Inter Miami the lead. The goal is Messi's 68th free-kick goal of his career. The goal made history for Messi in the FIFA Club World Cup and gave Inter Miami the 2-1 win.