Lionel Messi (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Lionel Messi displayed his vintage prowess with two remarkable goals that propelled Inter Miami CF to a dramatic comeback victory against FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup. The thrilling match, held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, concluded with a 4-4 score in regulation time, followed by a shootout. Messi not only scored Miami’s opening and closing goals but also successfully converted a crucial spot kick during the shootout, securing his team’s advancement to the quarterfinals.
In his first goal for Inter Miami outside of Florida, Messi delivered a left-footed strike from beyond the penalty area. It was courtesy of a pass from former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba. Despite initially being disallowed due to an offside call, the decision was overturned after a review. The Argentine superstar has maintained his impressive form, finding the net in all four matches for Inter Miami and accumulating a total of seven goals.
Things about to get Messi
The action-packed game saw FC Dallas take a 4-2 lead after Robert Taylor‘s unfortunate own goal in the 68th minute. However, Dallas conceded an own goal themselves, with Marco Farfan accidentally heading the ball into his own net from a cross provided by Messi’s free kick.
Messi’s slow-moving penalty kick found the right corner of the net, and FC Dallas’ Paxton Pomykal’s subsequent miss over the crossbar sealed the difference. Miami emerged victorious with a 5-3 advantage in the shootout, clinched by Benjamin Cremaschi, who had scored earlier in the 65th minute.
Throughout the second half, Messi’s free kick attempts kept the sellout crowd of 19,096 on their feet, eagerly capturing the moments on their cell phones. Despite facing several challenges, Inter Miami persevered, with Facundo Quignon and Bernard Kamungo contributing goals for FC Dallas in the first half. Alan Velasco, a young talent from Argentina, extended the lead to 3-1 with a skillful bouncing free kick.
Cremaschi’s goal soon followed, narrowing the gap and setting the stage for the thrilling finish. This remarkable performance marked Messi’s second consecutive two-goal game and occurred during the first Leagues Cup elimination match, which Miami won 3-1 against Orlando City despite a rain delay.
The heat is on
The match took place in sweltering conditions, with a kickoff temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, amidst a streak of 14 consecutive days of triple-digit heat in the Dallas area. Due to the extreme heat, both teams took a heat break midway through each half.
With this victory in the round of 16, Inter Miami secured a spot in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. They are set to face the winner of the game between Charlotte FC and Houston Dynamo, scheduled for August 11th at DRV PNK Stadium.
