Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi scored just over six minutes into the team’s match against Orlando City SC, giving his team an early lead in the 2023 Leagues Cup on Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Messi now has four goals in three games for Inter Miami since joining the MLS.
- Inter Miami entered Wednesday 2-0 with Messi part of the team.
- Inter Miami and Orlando City are currently facing off in the round of 32 of the 2023 Leagues Cup.
MESSI X ROBERT TAYLOR BANGERS ONLY 🤯🤯
Taylor puts Messi in with the chip to give us the early lead over Orlando City.#MIAvORL | 📺#MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/kvb8Lmcccj
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 3, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Messi’s continued brilliance
At this point can it even really be considered a surprise that Messi scored? Three games into his Inter Miami tenure and four goals. The early finish against Orlando City might have been his easiest yet.
Taylor — who has become a star playing alongside Messi — chipped a beautiful pass into the box to an unmarked Messi, who took it off his chest and volleyed home from six yards out. Taylor, who scored three goals with three assists in 33 games last season and added another two goals and four assists in 19 appearances this season before Messi arrived, now has three goals and two assists in two-plus games playing alongside Messi.
Perhaps as notable as the goal, however, was that Messi picked up a yellow card in the 21st minute for a harsh foul on Orlando City’s Wilder Cartagena, who had been man-marking him closely in the lead up to the foul. The frustration clearly built up enough for Messi to take a hack at Cartagena’s legs near midfield that drew the caution. — Tenorio
(Photo: Hector Vivas / Getty Images)
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