Lionel Messi Scores Twice As Inter Miami Advances to MLS League Cup Quarterfinals-
Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami advanced to the MLS Leagues Cup quarter-finals with a victory over FC Dallas. The Argentine star continues to impress in his MLS debut.
The Florida team rallied from down 3-1 and 4-2, then won on penalties after the game ended 4-4. Drake Callender and Benjamin Cremaschi converted the first four kicks, before Messi stepped up to take the fifth and winning shot.
1. Josef Martinez Scores First Goal
Lionel Messi made it three goals in four games for Inter Miami CF as they fought back from 4-2 down to take their Leagues Cup quarterfinal against FC Dallas to penalties. The Argentine superstar, making his fourth start for the Herons, opened the scoring early on with a brilliant side-foot finish from Jordi Alba’s perfect pull-back.
Minutes later, Messi helped set up the first of Robert Taylor’s two goals as he drove through the defense and fed the teenage striker who defied a tight angle to fire into the bottom corner.
The Argentine then added to his haul with a trademark curling free kick as the game entered injury time. The match would ultimately end in a 4-4 draw in normal time with Atlanta’s Adilson Malanda netting an own goal to restore the visitors lead before Messi’s brilliant late strike.
2. Lionel Messi Scores Second Goal
Two goals within eight minutes and Inter Miami faced its first deficit in the Messi era. Bernard Kamungo banged a goal right through Inter Miami’s defender and goalie near the right side of the net to give FC Dallas a 2-1 lead in the 45th minute.
But just as he did against Orlando City, Messi answered in the final moments of regulation with a superb free kick that went into the top right corner. It was just his second goal of the game, but it was enough to send the match into a penalty shootout.
Messi won the coin toss and successfully converted his spot kick, sending Inter Miami into the quarterfinals where they will face Charlotte FC on Friday night. The winner will play Philadelphia in the MLS Cup final on Aug. 19.
3. Robert Taylor Scores Third Goal
After Josef Martinez scored in the second minute, Inter Miami increased their lead in the 32nd minute when Robert Taylor connected on a cross from DeAndre Yedlin. The goal marked the fourth for the Herons since the arrival of Messi and the debut of Jordi Alba.
In the 85th minute, Messi showed off his dazzling free kick abilities that made him famous in his career with an absolute gem into the top corner of the net. The kick was better than the one that he used to beat Cruz Azul in his first game with Inter Miami and left everyone wanting more.
With the win, Inter Miami advances to a Leagues Cup quarterfinal match on Friday against the winner of Charlotte FC and Houston Dynamo FC. The match is set to take place at DRV PNK Stadium in Florida.
4. Benjamin Cremaschi Scores Fourth Goal
Not even a month has passed since Lionel Messi’s arrival in MLS but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is already making a major impact for his new club. Inter Miami has reached the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup and a spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup with two wins from their first four matches since the former Barcelona star joined them.
The sellout crowd at Bayfront Park stadium was enthralled throughout the match as Messi and Inter Miami attacked with speed and creativity. Argentine youngster Alan Velasco scored the third goal of the night and then Cristiano Ronaldo-esque free kick expert Messi equalized in the 85th minute to send the match to penalties.
5. Lionel Messi Scores Fifth Goal
Lionel Messi is off to a fast start in his MLS career. He has scored in each of his four matches with Miami and now has seven goals overall.
He started the scoring against FC Dallas with a left-footed strike from outside the penalty area after a pass from former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba. Then he set up the second goal of the game when he crossed to Leonardo Campana, who kicked it into the net from in front of two opposing players.
After that, he set up the fourth goal of the game when he pushed past Atlanta’s backline and passed to Benjamin Cremaschi, who defied the tight angle with a fierce blast. He also made a brilliant tackle to stop an opponent from shooting on goal in the 87th minute.