With a 4-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Friday, Lionel Messi gave Inter Miami eight goals in five games as they breezed into the Leagues Cup semifinals.
Los Angeles FC, the defending champions of Major League Soccer, lost 3-2 at home to Mexico’s Monterrey after blowing a two-goal lead.
After defeating Queretaro 2-1 in Mexico, Miami will move up north to take on the Philadelphia Union in the semifinal matchup on Tuesday.
The last remaining Mexican team in the competition, Monterrey, will face Nashville, which defeated Minnesota 5–1, on the road.
At the DRV PNK stadium, Messi scored Miami’s fourth goal in the 86th minute of what was a very simple victory for Gerardo Martino’s squad.
Despite playing one of his quieter games in Miami’s pink jersey in front of Argentina’s national team coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi was still able to find the net for his adoring crowd and contribute to Miami’s fifth consecutive victory since his arrival.
Josef Martinez’s penalty gave Miami the lead in the 12th minute, and in the 32nd minute, the in-form Robert Taylor doubled their lead by converting a low cross from DeAndre Yedlin.
After the break, Charlotte showed more initiative, and substitute Patrick Agyemang should have pulled one back but his close-range header flew over the bar. Charlotte had mainly been satisfied to frustrate Messi and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets in the first 45 minutes.
After that missed opportunity, Miami sealed the victory when Diego Gomez played a low ball towards Lionel Messi in the centre. However, Charlotte’s Adilson Malanda’s attempted interception resulted in an own goal.
Malanda’s unfortunate tumble had prevented the home crowd from celebrating a Messi goal, but it would happen three minutes from time.
Ecuadorian attacker Leonardo Campana had time inside the area as the North Carolina team wore down to calmly glance up and pass the ball to Messi for the most straightforward of conversions.
Martino was thrilled to see his team maintain control of the game after Sunday’s chaotic affair in Dallas ended 4-4, with Miami advancing after penalties.
“We kept control of the ball for longer spells and I think there was only one clear chance from the opponent. Other than that I think we didn’t suffer defensively,” said the former Barcelona and Argentina coach.
“It’s very difficult for us not to score goals that’s why we talk a lot about keeping a cleansheet because that’s almost a guarantee of being able to win the game,” he said.
