26-7-2023 (MIAMI) Lionel Messi displayed his brilliance once again on Tuesday, scoring two first-half goals and assisting on another in the second half to lead Inter Miami to a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United and advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup.
After coming off the bench to score a game-winner in his debut on Friday night, the newly appointed team captain from Argentina wasted no time in his first start with the MLS side.
The World Cup champion received a lofted pass from former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, and after initially hitting the post, fired home his own rebound to put Miami in front in the eighth minute, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Messi added a second goal in the 22nd minute on a diving cross from teammate Robert Taylor, who notched a brace of his own.
The 34-year-old maestro then turned provider in the second half, playing a perfectly weighted pass to Lewis Morgan, who finished calmly past the Atlanta goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Miami’s fourth goal came in the 82nd minute, courtesy of Ian Fray, who latched onto a cross from fellow substitute Jay Chapman and headed the ball into the net.
With the win, Miami has won their group in the Leagues Cup tournament, which is a World Cup-style competition featuring all teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
