- Lionel Messi of Inter Miami continued to display his incredible form by scoring in three straight games in a 3-1 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday.
- His Major League Soccer (MLS) team advanced to the League Cup’s round of 16 with the victory.
- Jordi Alba made his Inter Miami debut as well as a substitute in the second half.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami continued to display his incredible form by scoring in three straight games in a 3-1 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday. His Major League Soccer (MLS) team advanced to the League Cup’s round of 16 with the victory.
Due to a rainstorm, the game’s start had to be delayed by 95 minutes. However, Messi took control of the field right away and scored in the seventh minute. Beginning his attack from the half-line, Messi sprinted into the area to catch Robert Taylor’s exquisite chip over many defenders. From the outside of the six-yard box, he expertly chested the ball down and sent it home with a volley.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. Photo/ The Irish Sun.
Cesar Araujo, a Uruguayan midfielder, scored off a corner kick for Orlando to equalize the score after just 10 minutes. Miami regained the lead, though, with Josef Martinez’s successful penalty kick three minutes into the second half.
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Messi was set up for another close-range volley in the 72nd minute of the game amid a counterattack by Taylor and Martinez. Utilizing this chance the most, the unmarked Argentine made no mistakes and easily outperformed Orlando’s goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Following his great campaign against Cruz Azul and Atlanta United in the tournament’s group stage, Messi scored his fifth goal in only three games with the goal. Araujo’s final effort to save Orlando in the ninth minute of added time was thwarted by a VAR call for offsides.
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a brace. Photo/Goal
Due to their speedy turnaround with the World Cup winner spearheading the charge, Miami is quickly becoming an opposition that no one wants to play against as they are in serious contention to win this tournament. Rotation will be vital as Tata Martino gains experience with more players, but his starting XI will force him to make some difficult choices. Despite Robert Taylor’s three goals and two assists since Messi joined the club, Facundo Faris will challenge him on the left despite the fact that he was unavailable for this game.
Inter Miami will now take on FC Dallas, who defeated Mexican team Mazatlan 2-1, after this triumph. Messi’s performance and ongoing scoring spree have been the main elements of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup campaign, even though their victory against Orlando was encouraging.
As a replacement in the second half, Jordi Alba made his Inter Miami debut as well. He hopes to become the team’s new starting left-back.
Messi will now travel with his new team for the first time as Inter Miami will go to FC Dallas, who defeated Mexican team Mazatlan 2-1 in their Round of 32 encounter.
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