Lionel Messi keeps Inter Miami on course for Leagues Cup glory

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal for Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi has wasted no time in making his mark on North American soccer, firing Inter Miami CF into the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup competition.

Messi, who joined Miami from Paris St Germain last month, has scored seven goals in his first four appearances for the club, making him the fourth all-time leading goalscorer in Inter’s brief history just weeks into his US stint.

He stepped off the bench to mark his debut with a match-winning free-kick against Mexican side Cruz Azul, and he then followed that up with two goals in each of his first three starts for the MLS outfit.

The Argentinian’s early brace set them on their way to a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in their final group game, and he then netted twice as they booked their place in the last-16 of the competition with a 3-1 victory over Orlando City.

Messi was able to top those performances in the last-16 clash with FC Dallas however, leading the team into the quarter-finals of the competition.

His knack for scoring quickly continued as he broke the deadlock on six minutes, but FC Dallas threatened to play the role of spoiler as they came storming back to take a 4-2 lead into the final 10 minutes of the contest.

An own goal gave Miami a glimmer of hope, and then it was down to more Messi magic to complete the comeback, as he fired in a free-kick with five minutes remaining to take the game to a penalty shoot-out.

“It’s obvious that for him a free-kick around that area is like a penalty kick for another player,” FC Dallas boss Nico Estevez said afterwards.

Messi was not done after netting the equaliser though.

He slotted home the first penalty of the shoot-out, setting Inter Miami on their way to a 5-4