Magnificent Messi: A Double Delight as Inter Miami Secures a 4-0 Victory Against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup
In an impressive display, new signing Lionel Messi contributed two goals and an assist to lead Inter Miami to a convincing 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in Group J of the Leagues Cup on the morning of July 26th.
*Goalscorers: Messi 8′, 22′, Taylor 44′, 53′.
Just four days after coming off the bench to score a stunning free-kick winner against Cruz Azul, captain Messi was included in the starting lineup for Inter Miami. However, the home team got off to a slow start, and it was Atlanta United who had the early chances. In the very first minute, Giorgos Giakoumakis’ shot was saved by goalkeeper Drake Callender, and the rebound hit the crossbar. A couple of minutes later, Brooks Lennon’s cross from the right went over Callender’s head and struck the post.
After surviving these early scares, Inter Miami started to find their rhythm, and it was Messi who made the breakthrough. After hitting the post with a diagonal shot in the 8th minute, the Argentine forward followed up to slot home the opening goal for Inter Miami. From that point on, Inter Miami took complete control of the game. If Messi’s back-heel shot in the 12th minute had been on target, Josef Martinez could have doubled the lead.
However, the home fans didn’t have to wait long for the second goal. In the 22nd minute, Messi found the back of the net again, this time converting a left-wing cross from Robert Taylor from six meters out.
Another new signing, Sergio Busquets, also shone in midfield. The former Barcelona midfielder’s precise passing and tempo control allowed Inter Miami to enjoy 55% of possession and register seven shots on target. They further solidified their lead in the 44th minute when Taylor scored a beautiful volley from Benjamin Cremaschi’s lofted pass inside the box, making it 3-0.
Inter Miami continued to apply pressure after the break, and in the 53rd minute, Messi returned Taylor’s favor with a perfectly timed through-ball to the left-wing. The Finnish forward took a touch before placing a diagonal shot into the net to seal the 4-0 victory.
After building a comfortable lead, Busquets and Messi were substituted in the 72nd and 78th minutes, respectively. Despite a late penalty awarded to Atlanta United in the 84th minute, Thiago Almada, Messi’s compatriot and teammate in the Argentine national team, missed the spot-kick.
The win over Atlanta United helped Inter Miami strengthen their position at the top of Group J in the Leagues Cup. With six points from two matches, Messi and his teammates secured a spot in the Round of 16. Cruz Azul and Atlanta United will battle for the remaining qualification spot in their direct encounter on July 29th.
In the MLS Eastern Conference, Atlanta currently sits in seventh place with 35 points, while Inter Miami is at the bottom with 18 points. However, the presence of Messi and Busquets could improve Inter Miami’s standing in the league in the coming time. After two matches with the American club, the Argentine forward has already scored three goals.
