Club World Cup | Messi s free kick win turns the tide, Paris Saint-Germain was unexpectedly upset

Reprinted from: Yangzi Evening News

On June 20, the second round of the 2025 Club World Cup group stage began. In Group A, Messi once again staged a scene of the gods descending to the earth, retaining hope for qualifying for the host; Group B was defeated by Paris Saint-Germain, and the qualifying situation became more and more complicated.

In a focus match in Group A, host Miami International ushered in a contest with Porto. In the first round opening match, Miami International tied with its opponents, and the team's overall lack of ability to create and seize opportunities was highlighted.

In this round of matches, Porto, which also needs to win more points for the right to qualify, although Miami International scored first with a penalty kick in the first half, it was quickly tied by the opponent after the change of sides. The winning goal that determines the outcome appeared in the 54th minute of the game. Miami International received a free kick opportunity in the frontcourt, Messi scored a free kick from the world wave at the top of the arc, and the ball flew into the dead corner of the goal. With this free kick, Miami International finally defeated Porto 2-1, and remained unbeaten in two games in the Club World Cup with 1 win and 1 draw.

Statistics show that Messi has scored 6 goals in the Club World Cup, which is the same as Benzema and Bale, and is only 1 goal away from Ronaldo, the historical scorer of the Club World Cup. Messi has scored 68 free kicks directly in the club and national team. In the oldest goal list of Club World Cup, Messi ranked second with 37 years old and 360 days. Second only to Ramos (39 years old and 80 days), who scored a goal against Inter Milan the day before.

It is worth mentioning that as the host team's opponent in the last round of the group stage, Palmeiras also won this round, defeating Ali 2-0, and currently has the same points as Miami International. In response, Messi said, "I think we played an excellent game today. We are here to compete. Although we know that our strength is at a disadvantage, we have our own weapons that can create threats. Next we will face Palmeiras, we know that they are one of the best teams in the world."

If the results of the Group A game are basically expected by the outside world, then the big upsets in the Group B game far exceeded the expectations of fans. Paris Saint-Germain, which won four goals in the first round of the game and showed its strength as the new champion of the Champions League, unexpectedly encountered a strong blockade from Botafogo in this round. In the

game, the Botafogo team united and set up an iron barrel formation to defend and wait for an opportunity to launch a counterattack. Although Paris Saint-Germain has a lot of possession, its offensive efficiency is inefficient. In the first half, Igor Jesus scored, helping the South American team take the lead. In the second half, Balcola's goal was judged to be offside first, and Paris Saint-Germain counterattack was fruitless. In the end, Paris Saint-Germain lost to Bottafogo 0-1, and suffered its first defeat in this tournament

Another match in the same group, Atletico Madrid, whose condition has recovered 3-1, Seattle Bayermen. Such results also make the situation of Group B qualifying more complicated. As of the end of the second round, Botafogo, who had 6 points in two games, rose to the top, just one step away from qualifying. Two teams from the top five European leagues have 3 points, ranking second and third in the group. In the last round, Paris Saint-Germain will play against the weakest opponent of the group, the Seattle Bayers, and the qualifying situation is relatively optimistic. Atletico Madrid and Botafogo need to seize the qualification to stage a life-and-death battle.

Yangzi Evening News/Zi Niu News reporter Huang Xiyin