Inter Miami v Porto: Club World Cup 2025 – live updates

June 20, 2025
3:24 am

Key events

32 min: This game has felt strangely flat. Not a whole lot of energy from either side, which doesn’t make much sense considering this game is taking place indoors, so heat isn’t an issue. Messi just picked up the ball about 70 yards from goal, assessed his options, and attempted the most ambitious on-the-ground through ball of all time, which was easily recovered. Been that kind of afternoon.

27 min: Messi again finds a window in the right half-space, but his lofted ball goes straight to the goalkeeper. Everything good, perhaps unsurprisingly, is going through Messi right now for Miami.

22 min: Miami once against finds a bit of space behind the Porto backline, but Weigandt can’t control the service from Segovia. Miami may be down, but they’ve found a strategy that’s working. Just a degree or two more quality needed.

19 min: I am clearly a tactical genius. Just as I hit send on that last update, Inter Miami won possession after sitting back, then immediately went on the front foot with Messi leading the counter. The Argentine found Luis Suárez bearing down on the goalkeeper, but the Uruguayan had his shot blocked and gathered by Claudio Ramos.

That’s about as ideal a situation as Miami could want for their game plan. No goal.

18 min: Out of possession, Inter Miami seems content to sit back and not engage with Porto until well after they cross midfield. In possession, though, they’re streaming forward and attacking the wide areas. That is, when they’re not counterattacking.

14 min: Weigandt and Samu getting into minor blows now after a clash near the sideline. Just a couple of dudes jostling.

9 min: The Miami bench is frustrated, partly because of the call (it was a bit soft, but correct by the letter of the law), and partly because they feel a throw-in was taken before the officials paused the match to do the VAR review.

The referee is having a conversation with the Miami bench and manager Javier Mascherano. It does not look like a pleasant one.

Either way, it doesn’t matter now. Miami had the better of the opening moments, and now they’re behind.

Goal! Inter Miami 0-1 Porto (Aghehowa, 8)

Samu Aghehowa ends up taking over PK responsibilities, and his low effort to Ustari’s right just barely sneaks through the goalkeeper’s dive.

Penalty!

7 min: After a VAR review, it’s a penalty! Noah Allen did indeed get a piece of João Mário on his run into the box, and is adjudged to have tripped him.

Rodrigo Mora to take. Ustari saved a PK last game…

6 min: …Penalty? Maybe! We have a VAR review for some contact between Noah Allen and João Mário in the box.

4 min: Messi involved again, this time latching on to a bouncing ball in midfield, slotting a through ball for Suárez that has just a bit too much on it, allowing Ramos to gather it easily.

2 min: A chance! Already! Lionel Messi finds a spot in the right half-space, and lofts a perfect diagonal ball over the backline to Luis Suárez. Suarez’s attempt is saved, and he is later called offside. An early statement from Miami.

We are underway!

And I gotta be honest…it’s very weird seeing those Miami pink kits play v non-MLS opposition at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Reader Mike gets in touch with an astute observation:

Porto’s midfield – Vieira, Veiga and Varela – is a proper challenge for whichever unfortunate broadcaster DAZN have roped in for tonight!

Fortunately, Dazn’s commentator in English for this one is none other than the legend, Andrés Cantor. I think he can handle it.

Alongside him is Brian Dunseth, one of my personal favorites of the American analysts you’re likely to hear on MLS and US national team broadcasts.

Reader Justin gets in touch:

I’d imagine that the players of Inter Miami (and LAFC and the Sounders) will be doing everything in their power to AVOID winning this tournament now, which would surely lead to a summons to the White House by His MAGAsty. Messi would surely rather miss the deciding penalty against Brazil in next year’s World Cup Final than go through what those poor Juventus boys did yesterday.

I know it’s hyperbole, but I doubt this! Weird experiences with the US president are temporary, titles are forever. (I think).

Elsewhere in Group A…

Palmeiras is now leading Al Ahly 2-0 with the clock rapidly approaching 90 minutes (the teams are still playing thanks to a lightning delay that paused proceedings in the second half).

The result puts the Brazilian side provisionally on top of Group A, and should really increase the urgency for both Miami and Porto to get a result this afternoon. A win would establish a clear hierarchy in the group, putting the victor in great position to qualify for the knockout round.

How did Messi and Inter Miami do last time out?

Very badly for the first half, and slightly better in the second. Barney Ronay wrote on the opening match of the Club World Cup, a 0-0 draw between Miami and Al Ahly.