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Lionel Messi scores as Inter Miami beats Charlotte in Leagues Cup quarterfinals

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Lionel Messi scores as Inter Miami beats Charlotte in Leagues Cup quarterfinals

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – It took a bit longer for Lionel Messi to create the spectacular moments he used to treat fans with during his early days at Inter Miami. However, he ultimately delivered a performance that was well worth the wait and lived up to expectations.

In the 86th minute, Messi found the back of the net, adding the finishing touch to Inter Miami’s impressive 4-0 victory over FC Charlotte in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup.

This goal marked his eighth in just five games, all of which led to victories for Inter Miami. As a result, the team has now secured a spot in the semifinals of the Leagues Cup tournament.

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This achievement is quite uncommon for a team that currently holds the last position in the MLS playoff race. This was the scenario before Messi became a part of the franchise, which is co-owned by soccer legend David Beckham.

“I believe that this reflects a moment filled with expectations of achieving something significant,” commented Inter Miami coach Tata Martino. He had previously coached Messi both at FC Barcelona and with the Argentina national team. He expressed his hope for the team to make a noteworthy impact in the tournament.

“I hope we can do something.”

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When will Messi play next?

Inter Miami will take on the Philadelphia Union in the League Cup semifinals on Wednesday, August 16.

How did Messi fare in this game?

In his first three starts for Inter Miami, Messi found the net within eight minutes of each match. He outdid himself, scoring in the eighth, seventh, and sixth minutes of those respective games.

However, in this particular match, Messi didn’t need to deliver his trademark initial enthusiasm.

Joseph Martinez converted a penalty kick in the 12th minute and Robert Taylor scored another goal in the 32nd minute. Inter Miami went into halftime with a 2-0 lead. An own goal in the 78th minute cemented their advantage over a Charlotte side who struggled to capitalize on their chances.

In the closing moments, Messi scored a goal and once again delighted the fans with a smile. It has once again fueled Messi’s frenzy since he joined MLS side Miami last month.

Why didn’t Messi get a penalty kick earlier?

Martino, who coached Martinez at Atlanta United from 2017 to 2018, expressed complete comfort with either Messi or Martinez taking charge of those changes.

Ultimately, Martino’s faith in both players was shaky. In this particular game, Martinez may have benefited more from being involved compared to Messi who has shown his talent in previous matches.

Martino made his point of view, “I don’t care which one takes the kick – one is the right one. We know this situation will arise at some point, and now we’re addressing it.”

How far can Inter Miami progress in the Leagues Cup?

FC Charlotte coach Christian Lattanzio had high praise for Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, all former FC Barcelona stars now with Inter Miami.

“When you bring in three players who are the standout stars, from a team that experts have deemed perhaps the greatest ever, what do you expect?” Lattanzio remarked.

He further elaborated on Messi’s impact, stating, “And when you have Messi, all he needs is a single opportunity, a brief moment in the game. It takes tremendous precision to prevent him from conjuring the magic he’s consistently produced since his introduction to Barcelona at the age of 16.”

Lattanzio holds a positive view of Inter Miami’s potential, suggesting they could secure victory in the Leagues Cup. He also believes they have the capability to clinch the U.S. Open Cup, where they are set to play a semifinal match on August 23rd.

He expressed, “I’m not sure if they’re the outright favorites, but they certainly have the potential to win the competition.”

Furthermore, Lattanzio envisions a scenario where Inter Miami rises from its current last-place position and makes a strong push toward the MLS playoffs as the regular season progresses.

“If they can find a way to secure a playoff spot, they definitely have the capacity to triumph,” he concluded.

Messi goal: Inter Miami 4, Charlotte 0

It was the moment we’d been waiting for more.

Messi’s left boot put the finishing touches on his fifth game with Inter Miami.

In the 86th minute, Messi received an assist from Leonard Campana, solidifying Inter Miami’s ongoing victory with the world’s leading soccer player.

With a total of eight goals during his tenure at Inter Miami, Messi’s journey contributed to his fifth win with the team.

Own goal: Inter Miami 3, Charlotte 0

Messi surged through the center, delivering a pass to Diego Gomez that placed Charlotte in a vulnerable position.

Gomez redirected the ball back towards the center, yet a sliding defender – Adilson Malanda of Charlotte – inadvertently directed it into his own net. This own goal extended Inter Miami’s advantage to 3-0, deep into the latter stages of the second half.

In the 70th minute, Messi had a near-miss: Inter Miami 2, Charlotte 0.

Messi came tantalizingly close to igniting a burst of excitement – well, not exactly blowing the roof off, considering it’s an open-air pitch – within Inter Miami’s stadium.

Robert Taylor located Messi at the heart of the field, poised for a left-footed strike that could have injected energy into an otherwise uneventful second half.

However, Messi’s shot was thwarted by Charlotte’s Adilson Malanda in the 70th minute.

As of now, Messi remains without a goal in his fifth appearance for Inter Miami.

Meanwhile, Taylor, who had scored in the first half, was later substituted out shortly after his contribution.

Halftime Score: Inter Miami 2, Charlotte 0

Although Messi’s first-half performance was relatively subdued compared to his usual standards, he and his Inter Miami teammates stand just one-half away from progressing to the Leagues Cup semifinals.

Notably, Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor found the net for Miami in the opening half, securing a 2-0 advantage as they headed into the locker rooms.

During the course of the first half, Messi managed a single shot on goal – a short left-footed attempt – which was skillfully blocked by the goalkeeper, defended with both hands, at the 30th-minute mark.

In the event that Inter Miami successfully advances, they will confront the victor of the ongoing Philadelphia Union-Querétaro match, currently in progress. As it stands, Philadelphia maintains an early 1-0 lead.

Mark your calendars for the League Cup semifinals set to take place on August 16th.

Goal by Robert Taylor: Inter Miami 2, Charlotte 0

While Messi continues to search for a goal, Inter Miami has surged ahead with a 2-0 advantage over Charlotte.

In the 32nd minute, Robert Taylor added to the lead with a well-executed goal. Taylor expertly guided the ball into the left corner of the net using his right foot, marking his fourth goal in the Leagues Cup competition.

Assisting Taylor’s goal was DeAndre Yedlin, who provided the crucial setup for the successful play.

Goal by Josef Martinez: Inter Miami 1, Charlotte 0

Although Messi’s streak of early goals concluded, Inter Miami quickly found the net just two minutes later.

In the 12th minute, Josef Martinez confidently converted a penalty kick, granting Inter Miami a 1-0 advantage. This goal materialized following a penalty awarded against Charlotte, which Inter Miami capitalized on to secure the lead.

Where can I watch Lionel Messi’s match tonight with Inter Miami?

All of Inter Miami’s matches can be watched through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

For fans seeking a cost-free option, the U.S. Open Cup semifinal game for Inter Miami on August 23rd will be accessible for streaming on the CBS Sports Golazo Network.


Messi’s Affinity for Quick Starts

For those tuning in to tonight’s game, be sure to observe Messi’s performance in the opening minutes.

Messi has consistently found the net within the initial 10 minutes of the past three games, showcasing a remarkable penchant for fast starts. Impressively, he has managed to score even quicker as each game progressed.

His first start saw him scoring in the eighth minute, followed by a seventh-minute goal in the subsequent match. In his most recent start, he found the net as early as the sixth minute.

Now, the question arises: Could Messi potentially achieve a goal within the first five minutes in this particular game?

Lionel Messi Already Making History in Inter Miami

Merely four games into his journey with the MLS franchise, Lionel Messi has already etched his name into the annals of Inter Miami’s record books.

With an impressive tally of seven goals, Messi currently shares the fourth position in the franchise’s history alongside three other players: his teammate Josef Martinez, along with former Inter Miami players Lewis Morgan and Rodolfo Pizarro.

Notably, Messi’s subsequent goal will align him with teammate Robert Taylor, who holds eight goals, positioning them both in third place in Inter Miami’s historical records.

However, the ascent truly commences from there.

Leonardo Campana claims the second spot in the all-time rankings with 16 goals, while Gonzalo Higuain stands as the unrivaled leader with an impressive 29 goals.

Lionel Messi’s Standout Moments with Inter Miami

Messi’s performance has been marked by three consecutive braces, meaning he’s netted two goals in each of his last three games. Remarkably, his opening goal in each of these matches has materialized within the initial 10-minute timeframe, illustrating Inter Miami’s propensity for swift starts when Messi is on the field.

In his most recent outing, which was his first away game in Dallas, Messi exhibited his prowess by converting a crucial free kick in the 85th minute. This goal proved pivotal in Inter Miami’s comeback, leading to a dramatic 4-4 draw that extended to penalty kicks. Inter Miami ultimately triumphed, prevailing 5-3 in the penalty shootout.

Additionally, Messi’s impact was immediately felt in his debut for Inter Miami, where he clinched the game-winning goal during extra time.

It’s worth noting that Messi has played the entire duration of the last two matches for Inter Miami. Although he began as a substitute in his debut, he showcased his endurance by staying on the field until the 78th minute in his second game.

What is the Leagues Cup?

It’s a 47-team tournament that has pit Major League Soccer teams against teams in Mexico’s Liga MX.

The quarterfinals are being held Friday. The semifinals will be on Aug. 16. The final and third-place game will be held on Aug. 19.

The other quarterfinal matchups are:

  • Philadelphia Unions vs. Querétaro F.C., 8 p.m. ET
  • Nashville SC vs. Minnesota United, 8:30 p.m.
  • Los Angeles FC vs. C.F. Monterrey, 10:30 p.m.

What is Inter Miami’s 2023 MLS schedule?

  • Aug. 20: vs. Charlotte FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Aug. 23: at FC Cincinnati (U.S. Open Cup), 7 p.m. ET
  • Aug. 26: at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Aug. 30: vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 3: at Los Angeles FC, 10:30 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 9: vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 16: at Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 20: vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 24: at Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Sept. 30: vs. New York City Fc, 7:30 p.m.
  • Oct. 4: at Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Oct. 7: vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Oct. 21: at Charlotte FC, 6 p.m. ET

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