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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 2 (UPI) — Lionel Messi was a relentless force, scoring two goals to lead Inter Miami to a Round of 32 victory in the Leagues Cup on Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, known as “the Flea,” found the back of the net in both halves of the 3-1 win at DRV PNK Stadium.
Wednesday’s match between in-state rivals, which experienced a 95-minute delay due to lightning, was filled with intensity and physicality.
“It was a classic derby game,” said Inter Miami forward Robert Taylor. “Both teams were determined to win.”
The Herons will now face FC Dallas in the Round of 16 of the tournament, which showcases teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Messi, along with midfielder Sergio Busquets and defender Jordi Alba, who made his debut for Inter Miami, showcased their skills and frustrated the opposition with their precise passing and strategic positioning.
“They bring composure,” Taylor said of Messi, Alba, and Busquets. “They make everyone else make the right decisions.”
Prior to Messi’s arrival, the Herons had gone winless in their last 11 MLS matches. However, they are currently on a three-game winning streak. It’s important to note that tournament games do not count towards the league standings, so Inter Miami remains in last place in MLS.
Inter Miami dominated possession and frustrated Orlando City with their selfless and relentless style of play, which wore down the defenders and created opportunities in transition. Alba came off the bench in the 64th minute, adding to the Herons’ attacking threat.
Taylor assisted the opening goal of the game in the 7th minute. He skillfully dribbled down the left corner to initiate the play. Then, he cleverly chipped the ball over a crowd of defenders, finding Messi as he made a well-timed run into the box.
Messi controlled the ball with his chest, allowed it to settle, and then unleashed a powerful left-footed shot to score.
The Herons’ early advantage was short-lived as midfielder Cesar Araujo equalized less than 10 minutes later.
Mauricio Pereyra started the sequence with a corner kick from the left side. Fellow midfielder Ivan Angulo received the ball and dribbled towards the end line. He then delivered a cross into the box, but it was deflected out.
The ball fell to Araujo, who struck a one-touch shot. It deflected off Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender and found its way into the net.
Messi received a yellow card in the 21st minute after pushing a defender. The game remained physical throughout, with players from both teams exchanging words and shoves.
Messi came close to scoring for a second time on two separate occasions in the first half. He hit the left post with a shot in the 31st minute and sent a deep free kick just over the crossbar in the 45th minute.
The Herons dominated possession, completing nearly 250 more passes than the Lions in the first 45 minutes.
The Lions maintained their aggressive approach at the start of the second half, intercepting several Herons’ passes and using them to launch counter-attacks. This strategy led to a penalty kick for Inter Miami in the 51st minute, which was converted by striker Josef Martinez with a powerful shot into the left side of the net.
Messi went on to score his fifth goal of the tournament in the 72nd minute. Taylor set up the goal by dribbling into the left side of the box and delivering a precise cross to Martinez, who controlled the ball with his chest and flicked it in the air for Messi to volley into the net.
Messi made no mistake with his first touch, blasting a right-footed shot inside the left post.
Inter Miami will now face FC Dallas in the Round of 16 Leagues Cup match in Dallas. The Herons’ next MLS match is against Charlotte on August 20 at DRV PNK Stadium.
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