Soccer <\/p>\n
Inter Miami CF<\/a> aren\u2019t just competing at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup<\/a>. They\u2019re making history.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Behind a brilliant Lionel Messi<\/a> free kick, the Herons rallied to beat Portuguese giants FC Porto, 2-1<\/a>, on Thursday afternoon at Atlanta United<\/a>\u2019s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.<\/p>\n The result marked the first-ever win for an MLS side at the prestigious club tournament. Additionally, Miami are the first club in Concacaf history to defeat a European opponent in an official competition.<\/p>\n Now, Miami and Brazilian side Palmeiras both have four points atop the Group A standings. They’ll meet Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium in the group-stage finale for a spot in the knockout stage (9 pm ET | DAZN.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201cThank the players for today\u2019s performance,\u201d head coach Javier Mascherano told reporters after the game. \u201cI think this is a historic day for our club.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 What it means is that we\u2019re still alive in the competition and we\u2019re going to play our third game with the possibility of qualifying for the Round of 16 at the Club World Cup,\u201d Mascherano added.<\/p>\n \u201cI think, from where we came from, it\u2019s not a small thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Miami\u2019s prospects looked far less promising eight minutes into Thursday\u2019s match.<\/p>\n Coming off a 0-0 draw<\/a> against Egyptian side Al Ahly in their Group A opener, the Herons found themselves in an early hole after Samu Aghehowa gave Porto the lead from the penalty spot.<\/p>\n The uphill climb could have been steeper if not for a Maxi Falc\u00f3n<\/a> goal-line clearance on Rodrigo Mora, as well as the post stopping Alan Varela’s long-range blast shortly before halftime.<\/p>\n But the Herons had chances of their own and finally made them count in the second half. Telasco Segovia<\/a> got the rally started in the 47th minute, first-timing Marcelo Weigandt<\/a>\u2019s cross with a clinical finish.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Telasco Segovia rips it for the first @FIFACWC<\/a> goal for Miami. ????????????@InterMiamiCF<\/a> level against Porto in Atlanta.pic.twitter.com\/lf1tUhBIeg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Then it was Messi\u2019s turn to complete the comeback, using his magical left foot to beat goalkeeper Cl\u00e1udio Ramos with a trademark set-piece golazo in the 54th minute.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not gonna say this to be clich\u00e9, but I had a feeling it was going in,\u201d second-half substitute Faf\u00e0 Picault<\/a> said in a post-match interview with DAZN. \u201c\u2026 It was a great goal, a great show of leadership and coming through in the clutch for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Messi avoided commenting on his latest highlight-reel goal when speaking with DAZN, instead preferring to praise Miami\u2019s overall display.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, I\u2019m very happy,” Messi shared. “It was a great effort by the team, we did a very good job. Not only defending, but during the first half and until the second goal, 2-1, we moved the ball very well. And I\u2019m very happy because we were left with a bitter feeling after the first game [against Al Ahly] because we thought we could\u2019ve won it.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 But it\u2019s a very important victory for us and we should enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n For Mascherano, the win was especially noteworthy given the performance against a traditional European powerhouse that\u2019s a 30-time domestic champion and two-time UEFA Champions League winner, among other laurels.<\/p>\n \u201cI think today we\u2019ve understood that in soccer, obviously there are hierarchies,” Mascherano said. \u201cAnd we\u2019ve faced a team that has hierarchy, has international-level players.<\/p>\n “But if we\u2019re convinced of what we have to do, if we have a plan, if we support each other and play together, but especially if we dare to play, we can compete.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Miami will need that same mindset on Monday in their Group A finale against Palmeiras, Brazil\u2019s most decorated side (a record 12 league titles) and three-time Copa Libertadores champions who defeated Al Ahly, 2-0<\/a>, earlier on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat makes me happiest is that the players were able to prove to themselves that they\u2019re capable of competing at this level,\u201d Mascherano said. \u201c\u2026 We were up to the challenge, we faced it head-on, we competed well.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, I\u2019m proud of the way we won. The beautiful thing about soccer is that you can win in many different ways. And today we won by playing good soccer.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, Mascherano is keeping his feet firmly on the ground \u2013 and urging his players to do the same.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t achieved anything,\u201d he said. \u201cBut now we\u2019ll try to rest, we\u2019ll try to regain strength and give our all on Monday to try to qualify.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n Stirring comeback<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Messi magic<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Statement performance<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Palmeiras up next<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n