Inter Miami CF earned a crucial three points against a tough FC Porto side in Atlanta this afternoon. The 2-1 scoreline would give David Beckham’s club a fighting chance to advance into the knockout rounds. Goals from Lionel Messi and Telasco Segovia would seal the deal for the MLS side. For Porto, Samu Omorodion would keep Miami from earning a clean sheet with his converted penalty.
Inter Miami wasted no time testing Porto’s backline as the MLS club was in desperate need of a win to advance out of the group. Lionel Messi had possession, dribbling down the right flank. He looked up once and saw Luis Suárez at the other end of the box, just a step ahead of his defender. As he broke free, Messi landed the perfect lob at his feet. The Uruguayan tested the keeper with a quick toe-poke, but Cláudio Ramos deflected the shot out of bounds.
As things were looking up for Inter Miami, a tough foul in their own 18-yard box would see FC Porto earn a penalty kick after a VAR review. Porto’s Samu Omorodion stepped up to the spot and had his attempt blocked by Inter Miami’s Oscar Ustari, but the ball deflected backwards into the back of the net. The Portuguese champions saw themselves getting the better of Beckham’s boys in the first 10 minutes of the match.
The old legs of Suarez were starting to become a factor early on in the match as a third opportunity came his way after breaking through the Porto defense, but a lack of pace affected the quality of the finish. His inability to get through balls quickly directly affected two good opportunities on goal.
Porto had a good chance to increase their lead by two in the 39th minute. Rodrigo Mora had been torturing Miami’s defense down the left side for the entire half. When in their defensive third, the ball made its way to him directly in front of the keeper. After a few dribbles to his right, he fired a shot at point-blank range, but Miami’s Ustari made a spectacular split-second save to keep the match within reach. Samu would follow up five minutes later after another drive down the left side, but Ustari held firm once again.
Just before halftime, Porto, yet again, advanced down their left side and penetrated Miami’s defence. With Alan Varela in acres of space just outside the top of the box, he fired a shot from about 20 yards out that beat Ustari and hit the post. The ball rolled calmly for the keeper to recover.
After the start of the second half, Telasco Segovia put Inter Miami level with Porto after firing a rocket past Cláudio Ramos. Marcelo Weigandt sent a lofty cross into the box, where Segovia sent the ball flying on a half volley.
Lionel Messi was fouled just outside the 18 in the 52nd minute. Immediately, the stadium exploded with chants of “Messi! Messi!” As they knew, the World Cup winner would be taking the try. With his club on his shoulders, the Argentine stepped up and curled a beautiful ball around the wall and past Ramos to put Miami ahead 2-1.
Samu continued to search for his brace well into the second half and almost found it in the 80th minute. A cross came in deep from the left side, with Samu posted in the center of the 18. He redirected the cross with his head, outjumping his defender, but the ball sailed past the right post out of bounds.
Seven minutes of stoppage time would prove unnecessary for Inter Miami as they were able to hold off the valiant attack from Porto in the final minutes.
“I think that the best team will win the group. We want to win the next match,” said Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets after the match. “I’m very happy.”
[The message at halftime] “Coach told us to keep our composure,” Inter Miami striker Fafa Picault explained. “It was an even game, they just happened to score first. So like coach said, we just had to keep our composure. We’re all happy right now, good mood, it’s a great situation. We’re going to enjoy the moment, 24hr rule, and get ready for the next match.”
Today’s match will look and feel like an upset, and adding to that claim, a new achievement. Inter Miami CF is the first Concacaf club to ever beat a UEFA club in a professional competition. Their big win also blew Group A wide open and the third match will decide who advances.
Inter Miami will celebrate their big win, then focus their efforts on studying Brazilian giants Palmeiras, as the two clubs share the top spot (Palmeiras is first place thanks to goal differential). The two giants will clash on Monday, June 23, at 9:00 PM ET. At the same time, FC Porto will test their mettle against Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Getty Images