Inter Miami 2-1 Porto: Lionel Messi scores stunning free-kick to put Herons on the brink of knockout stages

Inter Miami are on the brink of reaching the Club World Cup knockout stages after coming from behind to beat Porto.

At one stage, the Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise were staring an early exit in the face, but a moment of magic from Lionel Messi in the second half means they head into their final Group A fixture against Palmeiras needing just a point to qualify for the round of 16.

Despite making a strong start – with Messi pulling the strings – the Herons found themselves a goal down against the run of play as VAR intervened and recommended an on pitch review after Noah Allen caught Joao Mario in the box.

Whilst contact seemed minimal, a penalty was awarded and Samu Aghehowa was able to squeeze his effort past Oscar Ustari. Though the Inter Miami goalkeeper – who saved a spot-kick on matchday one – will have been disappointed to not have kept this one out too as he guessed correctly and got a hand to the ball.

An equaliser was threatened but Claudio Ramos – still deputising for Diogo Costa – made a superb save to deny Luis Suarez before getting in front of Benjamin Cremaschi’s tame effort.

That said, Porto were unlucky to not be further ahead at the break. Firstly, Rodrigo Mora saw his goal-bound effort brilliantly cleared off the line by Maximiliano Falcon and then a combination of post and Ustari prevented Alan Valera doubling the lead.

Those misses would come back to haunt the Portuguese outfit within seven minutes of the restart.

Telasco Segovia finished off a fine team move by rifling an effort into the top corner before Messi took centre stage. Moments after warming up with a long range free-kick, the 37-year-old curled home a brilliant effort from much closer to goal to complete the turnaround.

Porto huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser but couldn’t find a way past a resolute Inter Miami defence. They sit bottom of Group A as a result and require a mini-miracle on matchday three to extend their stay Stateside.

As for the Herons, a win over Palmeiras next Tuesday will see them top the group and avoid a likely round of 16 meeting against Paris Saint-Germain.