Lionel Messi’s fourth game at Inter Miami CF was much like the three before it: the No. 10 scored some great goals.
credit to mlssoccer.com
credit to mlssoccer.comThe Argentine superstar scored his third straight brace and fourth goal in a row as Miami moved on to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Sunday night. They beat FC Dallas 5-3 in penalty kicks after a crazy 4-4 tie in regular time.
Messi’s show at Toyota Stadium started when the 2022 World Cup champion scored with his left foot in the sixth minute to put the away team ahead. The FC Barcelona legend passed the ball to his former teammate Jordi Alba and beat the goalkeeper Maarten Paes from the top of the box.
After some entertaining back-and-forth on the scoreboard, Messi, who leads the Leagues Cup Golden Boot race with seven goals in four games, scored another world-class golazo with five minutes left to force PKs.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s curling shot reminded me of his dream debut goal against Cruz Azul in Miami’s first group stage game. Paes had no chance to stop it. In the following shootout, he beat the Dutch goalie for the third time, but Paxton Pomykal missed his shot from the spot, setting up Benjamin Cremaschi’s dramatic 5-3 winner.
What will Messi and the rest of the team face in the fifth game? They will play again on Friday, August 11, when they host either Charlotte FC or Houston Dynamo FC in the quarterfinals at DRV PNK Stadium.