Alan Shearer and Kieran Trippier react to David Beckham’s ‘unbelievable’ Inter Miami message
David Beckham took to social media after Inter Miami made history against Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Club World Cup is 20 matches into its new format and the heavy pre-tournament criticism of FIFA is yet to subside, with low crowd numbers, some one-sided scorelines, and several below-par stalemates.
Bayern Munich’s 10-0 victory over New Zealand part-timers Auckland City damaged the competition’s credibility as a top-level tournament, but other results have drawn attention to the lesser-known teams.
Chelsea’s 2-0 win over LAFC saw Liam Delap make an impressive first appearance against predeccessor Olivier Giroud, and Inter Miami then took the attention on the tournament to new heights on Thursday.
Beckham ‘proud’ as Inter Miami make history v Porto
The Club World Cup’s opening match on 14 June failed to impress as Inter Miami drew 0-0 with Egyptian champions Al-Ahly, before Palmeiras and Porto followed that result with yet another goalless stalemate.
The second round of Group A fixtures brought much more drama, however, as Miami came from behind to beat Porto 2-1 and became the first ever MLS side to beat a European team in a competitve match.
Lionel Messi appropriately curled home a perfectly-placed free-kick in the 54th minute to complete Miami’s turnaround, and Beckham was quick to praise his talisman in a post on Instagram (20 June).
In a post liked by his former England team-mate Alan Shearer and current Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier, Beckham said: “Unbelievable… a record breaking night in Atlanta.
“The first @mls team to beat a European team in an official competition… very proud – Vamos Inter Miami”.
Inter Miami bounce back from De Bruyne setback.
Football Insider Verdict
Upset victories have given different complexions to Groups A and B in the Club World Cup, and PSG‘s shock loss to Botafogo has blown the latter wide open with just one match left to play for in Group B.
Miami and Palmeiras sitting three points clear of Porto in Group A with one match remaining is a scenario few would have seen coming, and as things stand, Beckham’s side will face Botafogo in the round of 16.
Beckham was one of several club owners to make an offer to Kevin De Bruyne in the wake of his exit from Manchester City last month, but Miami’s likely progress to the Club World Cup knockout stages suggests that they’ll be just fine without him.