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.
Lionel Messi scores twice: 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 switching to Taylor, who passed the ball back into the direction of the 36-year-old who scored, Messi sprinted at the Atlanta defenders as it was backpedalling.
Messi was able to connect with another over-the-top Busquets pass, but the offside flag was waved when he fired directly at Atlanta keeper Brad Guzan.
“Mesmerizing Messi and Taylor Lead Miami to a 3-0 Victory Against Atlanta”
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.
Messi cleared a corner eight minutes after halftime and sprinted from deep inside his own half before releasing Taylor to his left. Taylor blasted home a low shot off the inside of the far post, catching Atlanta 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 custodian Drew Callender made a strong save.
I feel liberated.
Miami, which was last in the MLS rankings and had lost their previous 11 league games, appeared completely different after Messi and Busquets arrived.
“Their arrival has given the players a lot of confidence,” remarked Martino, who managed the pair ten years ago at Barcelona.
“He continued that the great players carry the responsibility, making the players feel more supported and liberated to play.”
Messi’s World Cup victory last season, according to Martino, who previously served as Messi’s coach with the Argentine national team, gave him new life.
He has relieved himself of a tremendous burden by joining the Argentine national squad. Everything, including his day-to-day activities, his words, and the way he approaches games, shows it. We may anticipate more of this kind of performance now that Leo is free.
“Gonzalo Pineda, their new manager, claims that the great players carry the responsibility, making the players feel more supported and liberated to play.”
“They were the superior team, and they were unforgiving in crucial situations. We made mistakes in the first, second, and fourth goals, and you can’t make mistakes against someone like Messi, he remarked.
Taylor, who used Messi’s space to his full advantage, rightly received his own standing ovation as he departed the pitch.
Every time Leo has the ball, we have a few players run in behind, which leaves tonnes of room for the rest of the team, according to Taylor.
He really is the best player in the world, I guess. He scores two goals, scored in the previous game, and now has another assist. Playing with him is like living a dream,” he continued.