FIFA Club World Cup Recap: Messi Magic Lifts Inter Miami

Lionel Messi delivered yet again, converting a sublime free kick in the 54th minute to lead Inter Miami CF to a 2-1 victory over FC Porto in a tightly contested Group A match at the FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday afternoon.

Porto took an early lead in the 8th minute through Samu Aghehowa, who converted a penalty after João Mário was fouled in the box by Noah Allen. Although Miami keeper Oscar Ustari got a hand to the shot, it deflected into the net.

Miami responded swiftly after the break. Just 90 seconds into the second half, Marcelo Weigandt delivered a pinpoint cross into the box that Telasco Segovia smashed home past Cláudio Ramos to level the score.

Then came Messi’s moment of brilliance: a perfectly placed free kick into the top-right corner — his 68th career free-kick goal — to secure Miami’s first win of the tournament, and the first-ever victory for a Concacaf team against European opposition in a FIFA club competition.

Despite Porto registering 14 total shots to Miami’s six, only three were on target for the Portuguese side, compared to five for Miami. Ramos finished with three saves, while Ustari made one, building on his standout eight-save performance in the tournament opener.

Atlético Madrid Bounce Back, Send Sounders to Brink

Atlético Madrid revived their Group B hopes with a 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders FC on Thursday, powered by a brilliant brace from Pablo Barrios and a goal from Axel Witsel.

Barrios opened the scoring in the 11th minute, finishing a clever setup by Giuliano Simeone with a powerful strike off the underside of the crossbar. He added his second in the 55th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to volley home after a long throw-in by Marcos Llorente.

Witsel scored just after halftime in the 47th minute, reacting quickest in a goalmouth scramble after Llorente’s volley was parried onto the crossbar by Stefan Frei.

Albert Rusnák pulled one back for Seattle in the 50th minute with a deflected shot, but it wasn’t enough as the Sounders remain winless. Seattle now face elimination — a PSG win or draw against Botafogo later Thursday would officially knock them out.

Botafogo Shock Champions League Holders PSG

Brazilian champions Botafogo pulled off a massive upset, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in their second Club World Cup group stage match on Thursday night at the Rose Bowl.

Igor Jesus scored the game’s only goal in the 36th minute, outmuscling two defenders and firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma after controlling a long pass from Jefferson Savarino. The goal sent Botafogo’s fans into raptures, with Jesus celebrating in the stands.

PSG, unbeaten since May 3 and having outscored their last three opponents 12-0, struggled to break down Botafogo’s organized defense. Despite dominating possession and registering 16 shots, PSG managed just two on target, compared to Botafogo’s four shots — all on target.

Botafogo head coach Renato Paiva praised his team’s cohesion, saying:
“We beat PSG at their own game — unity, discipline, and teamwork. That’s the lesson we learned from them and used it to overcome them.”

PSG coach Luis Enrique acknowledged his side’s fatigue and Botafogo’s solid defensive shape:
“Every team raises their game against us. We found it difficult to break them down.”

With this win, Botafogo move to the top of the group with six points, while PSG — who were missing Ousmane Dembélé due to injury — must regroup quickly before facing Seattle Sounders on Monday.

The FIFA Club World Cup continues to deliver dramatic moments and landmark results, with MLS and South American clubs now making a powerful statement on the global stage.