The next chapter in Lionel Messi’s dream debut in the USA. The Argentine scored twice again in the Cup victory over Orlando and thrilled the fans
Third win in the third game. Lionel Messi continued his success story in the jersey of his new employers Inter Miami in the sixteenth final of the Leagues Cup against Orlando City. In a 3-1 (1-1) win in Fort Lauderdale – the match started an hour and a half late due to heavy rain – the Argentine once again scored a brace, netting in the 7th and 72nd minutes. The third goal was scored from the penalty spot shortly after the break by Venezuelan attacker Josef Martinez (formerly of FC Torino and Atlanta United) (51st), while Orlando’s Cesar Araujo equalised in the 17th minute.
Meanwhile, 36-year-old world champion Messi, who was initially left on the ground holding his jaw after a second-half collision with Orlando’s Mauricio Pereyra, is now on five goals in 204 minutes of play for the Beckham club. And Inter Miami’s crisis has come to an end for the time being after eleven previous winless games.
Now less “room to play “
“He gives confidence to everyone around him. You can give him balls in tough situations and know he’s going to make something out of it,” right back DeAndre Yedlin said of his new prominent teammate. The flip side of that coin, however, he said, is that “the teams we play get a little scared. They pull back a little bit, and that gives us less room to play. “
Robert Taylor ➡️ Lionel Messi
Too easy.
(via @MLS)pic.twitter.com/y2wj6qtefX
– B/R Football (@brfootball) August 3, 2023
In addition to Messi, Sergio Busquets was again in the starting eleven, plus another former FC Barcelona star, Jordi Alba, made his debut for Miami. Inter will face FC Dallas in the last 16 of the League Cup on Sunday.
Vela brace in LAFC win
Los Angeles FC’s 7-1 win over Juarez FC of Mexico stood out among the other Cup matches on Wednesday (local time). Former Spain legionnaire Carlos Vela scored twice against his countrymen, Denis Bouanga even three times. Italian defender and former international Giorgio Chiellini was in the starting line-up for coach Steven Cherundolo (formerly of Hannover 96).
