(Watch Highlights) Lionel Messi nets brace in Inter Miami first start, sinks Atlanta United
July 26th, 2023 by Olasunkanmi Ibikunle
Lionel Messi followed-up his match-winning free kick with two more on Wednesday morning against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup and showed how impactful a player he is.
Messi scored twice and carved an assist in his first start for Miami, bringing his total to three goals in two games.
Courtesy of the Argentine World Cup winner, Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead by halftime, the first such lead in club history.
Miami went on to win 4-0. Messi exited in the 78th minute to a standing ovation, with many in the crowd wearing his No. 10 jersey.
It all started in the eighth minute, when Messi took a pass from his longtime Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, surged forward and sent a strike off the right post before tapping in his own rebound.
Then, in the 22nd minute, Messi put Miami ahead 2-0 off a pass from Robert Taylor.
With Messi commanding much of the attention from Atlanta’s defenders, opportunities opened for other Miami players. Taylor scored in the 44th minute, then made it 4-0 in the 53rd after being set up by Messi.
Messi also began the game wearing the armband just below his right shoulder.
Meanwhile, there was also an incident of fan invasion as Messi was exiting.
The fan sprinted all the way toward Miami’s bench where Messi stood before Miami coach Tata Martino grabbed the attention of security. The fan was then escorted off the field.
Photo Credit: MLS/Twitter
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