Inter Miami overcame Porto 2-1 in their Club World Cup Group A match on Thursday thanks to a spectacular free kick from Lionel Messi.

This was the first time a CONCACAF team had triumphed against a European team in a FIFA tournament.

The Argentine legend played a key role in the Major League Soccer team’s comeback from their opening game tie with Egyptian team Al Ahly, which ended in a disheartening goalless stalemate.

With their victory over Porto, Inter Miami increases their prospects of making it far in a competition that matches champion teams from around the world.

Twelve stadiums around the US are hosting the competition.

Messi took the stage in the redesigned competition after FIFA controversially gave Javier Mascherano’s team a backdoor admission.

He attracted spectators and continued to improve the sport in a nation that has historically been unimpressed with the world’s game.

The outcome also provides insight into how North and South American teams compare to historically powerful European teams.