Lionel Messi scored twice in Inter Miami’s 3-1 League Cup round-of-32 win over Orlando City on Wednesday, giving him five goals in three outings.
Both goals came from close range for the Argentine, who made it three wins in three games for a team that had gone winless in 11 league games prior to his arrival.
Robert Taylor cut in from the left and chipped a wonderful ball into the path of the on-running Argentine, who cradled the ball with his chest before volleying home from six yards out.
But Orlando replied forcefully, pulling level ten minutes later when Ivan Angulo’s low attempt was pushed out by Miami keeper Drake Callender, and Uruguayan Cesar Araujo pounced on the outside of the box to strike a low shot into the corner.
Miami took the lead again in the 51st minute thanks to a penalty from Josef Martinez, and Messi sealed the victory from close range after a brilliant assist from Martinez.
Jordi Alba, another former Barcelona player, made his debut for Miami, coming on as a 64th-minute replacement as Gerardo Martino’s team advanced to the round of 16 against FC Dallas on Sunday.
