Lionel Messi immediate impact in the United States continued on Tuesday when he scored twice in Inter Miami’s 4-0 win over Atlanta United that sent his team to the knockout rounds of the League Cup.
Though the World Cup winner from Argentina made his first start for his new club after coming off the bench and scoring a 94th-minute winner in Friday’s game against Mexican club Cruz Azul.
Lionel Messi Stand Out Performance!
In his first game against the Major League Soccer club, Messi was very difficult for Atlanta and developed a useful rapport with Finnish winger Robert Taylor, who helped score Miami’s other two goals.
The League Cup is a tournament that brings together all the top-tier teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX, and with two wins, Miami tops their group; with their newcomers settling in so quickly, they will surely believe they can clinch the first-place trophy.
Atlanta began the game by playing on the high line, hoping to reduce space for Messi, but this approach allowed Miami to move up and take advantage of their moments to exploit the space at the back.
That was how Messi put the locals ahead in the eighth minute when his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets charged him free after a through ball. Messi burst into the area, and although his low shot hit the post, he did not miss the rebound, putting it sideways into the net.
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Therefore, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, the first of a three-goal partnership with Finnish winger Robert Taylor.
Messi ran past the retreating Atlanta defense before passing to Taylor, who returned the ball to the path of the 36-year-old, who scored. Another ball from Busquets found Messi high up, but he was flagged for offside after he shot straight at Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Miami made it 3-0 a minute before halftime when Messi turned the ball over to Benjamin Cremaschi, who deftly passed it to Taylor, who challenged the tight angle with a ferocious flurry.
However, eight minutes after halftime, Atalanta was caught at halftime when Messi was awarded a corner, which he ran deep into his half before rolling on his left to Taylor, who drilled a low shot inside the far post.
Moreover, coming on for Messi in the 78th minute, the margin of victory allowed Miami’s Argentine coach Gerardo Martino to rest Busquets and Messi. Messi’s Argentina teammate Thiago Almada had a chance to score a consolation goal for Atalanta, but Miami goalkeeper Drew Callender saved his penalty.