European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suffered a shock 1-0 Club World Cup defeat to Brazilian side Botafogo on Thursday after Lionel Messi lit up the tournament with a brilliant free-kick winner for Inter Miami.
Atletico Madrid and Palmeiras also won as the second round of group matches began, but it was Botafogo who stole the headlines.
A first-half goal from Igor Jesus proved the difference as last year’s Copa Libertadores winners all but sealed a place in the knockout rounds from Group B in front of 53,699 fans at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California.
PSG are one of the favourites for FIFA’s 32-team tournament after a dazzling season which culminated with a scintillating 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
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But their hopes of securing a victory which would have seen them become the first side into the last 16 were stymied by a resilient performance from their opponents from Rio de Janeiro.
Messi scored a trademark free-kick to secure a 2-1 comeback win for Inter Miami against Porto in Atlanta in Group A.
The Argentine superstar found the top corner with a set-piece nine minutes after half time to clinch a surprise victory for the MLS side and give them a strong chance of progressing.
A draw between Inter Miami and Palmeiras on Monday will send both teams into the last 16.
Atletico also bounced back from a 4-0 loss to PSG as Diego Simeone’s side beat Seattle Sounders 3-1.
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