Lionel Messi led the way once again as his stunning free kick secured Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Porto in their Club World Cup Group A clash on Thursday.
It was the first time a Concacaf team had defeated a European side in an official Fifa tournament.
The Argentine great proved decisive as the Major League Soccer side bounced back from their disappointing goalless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly in their opening match.
Samu Omorodion converted a penalty in the opening minutes after a video review for the Portuguese club's first goal of the tournament.
Telasco Segovia then drew parity two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from Marcelo Weigandt.
Then, it was time for the 37-year-old Argentine to shine with a trademark goal – finding the top corner of the net with a second half set-piece.
“It's a huge joy, the whole team made a big effort, we worked really well,” Messi told DAZN.
“It's a really important win for us and we have to enjoy it. You can see that we want to compete, and today we competed against a really good European team. We knew that today we were weaker, but we had our strengths.”
Messi was the game's outstanding player, involved heavily from the kick-off.
The former Barcelona striker clipped a dipping ball in behind for veteran Luis Suarez, who could only prod it at the goalkeeper.
Porto took the lead in the eighth minute after being awarded a soft penalty after a VAR review, as Miami defender Noah Allen made light contact with Joao Mario in the box.
Spain international Aghehowa beat Oscar Ustari, who had saved a penalty in the goalless draw against Al Ahly, even though the stopper got a hand to his low effort.
Uruguayan striker Suarez, 38, might have levelled after Messi threaded him through on goal but, forced to use his weaker left foot, Porto goalkeeper Claudio Ramos denied him.
Javier Mascherano's side almost equalised through US international Benjamin Cremaschi after a charge from Suarez broke open Porto's defence, but Ramos made a smart stop to thwart him.
Maximiliano Falcon brilliantly headed off his own goal-line with Ustari beaten by Rodrigo Mora's effort to keep Inter Miami hopes alive.
Ustari denied Aghehowa and then scrambled the ball to safety as it rolled towards his net after Alan Varela crashed a shot off the upright and it hit him on the back, as Porto turned up the heat before the break.
Miami levelled right at the start of the second half, with Segovia blasting home Weigandt's inviting cutback to stun the Portuguese side.
Messi then sent Miami ahead with a goal all of his own making after 54 minutes.
“ (Messi) is a leader, he's the player he is, he's the greatest player in the world,” Miami forward Fafa Picault said.
“I had a feeling (the free-kick) was going in. That was a great goal, a great show of leadership and coming in a clutch moment for us.”
