Lionel Messi experienced his first “clasico” since his arrival at Inter Miami, as he faced Orlando City in the Round of 32 of the Leagues Cup. He once again scored a brace, in addition to scoring at least one goal for the third game in a row in the 3-1 victory at DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday night, in a game that was delayed 90 minutes due to a thunderstorm in South Florida.
Messi’s first goal didn’t take long
The wait was worth it since with practically Inter Miami’s first attack, in the 7th minute, the scoring began. A great play by Robert Taylor on the left wing , who cut inside before entering the box and created a specactular pass that left Messi completely unmarked on the penalty spot. Messi chested it down and immediately put it past the goal occupied by Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
But the visiting team did not give up and immediately reacted, starting to put their rival under pressure. In the 17th minute they tied the game, thanks to a great individual play by Colombian Ivan Angulo, who skillfully entered the box and forced Drake Callender to make a tough save. The rebound fell to Uruguayan Cesar Araujo, who finished a first-time shot past everyone.
Messi received his first yellow card
The first half was very intense, with many arguments that even included Messi, who received several fouls. In the 21st minute, Messi responded and tripped Wilder Cartagena without the ball, which earned him a yellow card.
From then on, the home team reacted and had 74% possession of the ball and created some chances to score. The two clearest ones were taken by Messi, who hit the post in the 31st minute and then had a free-kick saved in the 45th minute.
Josef Martínez and Lionel Messi secured the victory in the second half
At the beginning of the second half, Antonio Carlos was whistled for a controversial foul on Josef Martinez, who fell in the penalty area after a slight push. There didn’t appear to be a VAR review. While everyone expected Messi to take the penalty kick, he left the responsibility to Martinez, who sent Gallese the other way and scored from the spot.
In the 62nd minute, the third former Barcelona player who joined Inter Miami this summer made his debut: Jordi Alba. Paraguayan Diego Gomez also made his debut, replacing Benjamin Cremaschi.
The game was sentenced in the 72nd minute and the goalscorer couldn’t be anyone other than Messi, who once again combined with Martinez. Martinez brought down a cross from Taylor in the box and left it for the World Cup champion to complete his second-consecutive brace.
In stoppage time, Araujo scored to make it 3-2, but the goal was ruled out by a VAR review that deemed it offside.
What’s next for Inter Miami?
With this result, Inter Miami continues to be perfect so far in the Leagues Cup with three wins in as many games. Their rival in the Round of 16 will be FC Dallas this Sunday in Frisco, Texas. It will be Messi’s first away game with Inter.
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