Tuesday’s 4-0 triumph over Atlanta United by Inter Miami saw Lionel Messi score twice, continuing his immediate impact in the United States and propelling his team into the Leagues Cup knockout stages.
The Argentine World Cup winner received his first start for his new team after coming off the bench and scoring the game-winning goal in the 94th minute of Friday’s match against Cruz Azul of Mexico.
Messi was simply too much for Atlanta to handle in his debut matchup with a Major League Soccer team, and he formed a successful rapport with Finnish winger Robert Taylor, who contributed to Miami’s other two goals.
Miami tops their group in the Leagues Cup, a competition that includes all of the top teams from the MLS and Liga MX in Mexico. With their new addition appearing established so fast, Miami will undoubtedly think they can win their first-ever trophy.
Atlanta made a critical high-line mistake at the start of the game in an attempt to close down Messi’s space, but Miami was able to exploit the space behind them by picking their opportunities to go over the top.
Messi gave the home team the lead in the eighth minute when he was set free by a ball over the top from Sergio Busquets, a former teammate of his at Barcelona.
Messi sprinted into the area, and even though his low shot hit the post, he scored on the rebound with a sidefoot.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner then increased the lead in the 22nd minute with the first of three goals he and Finnish winger Robert Taylor would later combine on.
Before moving to Taylor, who put the ball back into the direction of the 36-year-old who scored, Messi sprinted at the Atlanta defense as it was backpedaling.
Messi was able to connect with another over-the-top Busquets pass, but the offside flag was raised when he fired directly at Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Miami made it 3-0 just before halftime when Messi supplied Benjamin Cremaschi, who skillfully flipped the ball to Taylor, who fired a ferocious shot despite the awkward angle.
A corner was cleared to Messi eight minutes after halftime, and he sprinted from deep inside his own half before releasing Taylor to his left, who blasted home a low shot off the inside of the far post. Atlanta was caught on the break.
Given the size of the victory, Miami’s Argentine head coach Gerardo Martino was able to rest Busquets and Messi, who was replaced in the 78th minute.
Thiago Almada, a teammate of Messi’s from Argentina, had an opportunity to give Atlanta some consolation, but Miami goalkeeper Drew Callender made a strong save.
