Lionel Messi rifles home last-minute winner during star-studded Inter Miami debut

22.07.2023 - 16:17 thenationalnews.com

Lionel Messi scored a brilliant free-kick deep into second-half stoppage time in a dream debut for Inter Miami that sealed a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in their Leagues Cup opener on Friday.

Miami brought on Messi off the bench as he had only three full training sessions with the team following his historic move to Major League Soccer.

His Miami debut had been years in the making and proved well worth the wait. After Robert Taylor's excellent opener was cancelled out by Uriel Antuna, the 36-year-old World Cup winner struck at the death to leave the DRV PNK Stadium delirious.

Inter rode out that early storm and took the lead just before the break as Taylor's exquisite low strike went in off the post to Messi's delight.

MLS US Lionel Messi Sergio Busquets Cruz Azul Tata Martino Usa Mexico county Miami

The entire Europe has seen Lionel Messi scoring clutch goals for Barcelona over the years in his club career. On Sunday, even Major League Soccer saw the Argentine maestro rising to the occasion and scoring a much-needed equaliser for the club from a free-kick. Messi, known for scoring some of the most spectacular free-kicks in his distinguished football career, put the ball past the FC Dallas goalkeeper late in the game, helping his team equalise 4-4 and pushing the Leagues Cup Round of 16 match into the penalty shootout.

Saat Lionel Messi Bikin David Beckham Merinding

David Beckham mengaku merinding saat Lionel Messi akhirnya memilih Inter Miami. Kata Beckham, rasanya sudah seperti juara!

Watch: Lionel Messi Scores Twice In First Start As Inter Miami Crush Atlanta United

Lionel Messi's instant impact in the United States continued on Wednesday as he scored twice in Inter Miami's 4-0 victory over Atlanta United, firing his team into the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup. The Argentine World Cup-winner was handed his first start for his new club after coming off the bench and grabbing a 94th-minute winner in Friday's game against Mexican club Cruz Azul. In his first game against a Major League Soccer club, Messi was simply too much for Atlanta to cope with and he struck up a fruitful understanding with Finnish winger Robert Taylor, who helped himself to Miami's other two goals.

Lionel Messi shines again in first Inter Miami start, scores twice in 4-0 win over Atlanta

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida: Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has one lasting memory from Lionel Messi’s debut: the image of Messi running to embrace his family after delivering the game-winning free kick and cementing a new era for the club and Major League Soccer. “That was for the fans. This community is hungry,” Mas said.

Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets make first Inter Miami starts - ESPN

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were both named in Inter Miami CF's starting lineup on Tuesday night for the first time since joining the MLS side.

David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic point made as MLS ambition set amid Lionel Messi frenzy

Messi-mania landed in Miami weeks ago, ramped up when the Argentina legend scored a last-minute free-kick winner on debut and could reach fever pitch should the World Cup make his first start this week.