The honeymoon between Lionel Messi and Inter Miami continues. The Argentine scored two goals and once again was decisive in the 4-0 victory against Atlanta United, which on Tuesday secured the Florida team's place in the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup.
Led by the genius from Rosario, Inter defeated a helpless rival and can dream big in this tournament that brings together teams from MLS (United States and Canada) and the Mexican league for a month.
The 'Pulga' has only been training in Florida for a week, but, along with former Spanish international Sergio Busquets, they have already revolutionized their new team. A luxury for Argentine coach Gerardo Martino.
The two former Barcelona teammates have brought pause and meaning to their new team's game. Few players understand better what each play requires, each moment of the match.
After a weak start by Inter Miami, with a shot against the post by Atlanta, the two accomplices took the team on their shoulders. It was a reminder of old times. Messi made a run, Busquets looked up and played a wonderful through ball. Messi hit the post with his left foot and scored the rebound with his right.
Goal in the 8th minute and madness at the DRV PNK stadium in Fort Lauderdale, once again full to witness the definitive takeoff of the Messi era.
The new captain of Inter Miami thanked the cheers of the "Messi, Messi" from an enchanted audience. He often left his right flank to conduct the game, always with danger. He associated, dribbled, and made runs.
In another great play, the 'Pulga' played it to Robert Taylor on the left side, who returned the ball to the center of the area, where Messi never fails. Second goal (22nd) with his right foot and again the madness, the cheers, and the fireworks.
On the other side, Atlanta, who won the MLS in 2018 with Martino on the bench, barely crossed into the rival's territory. Its leader, the talented Thiago Almada, Argentine World Cup champion with Messi, tried unsuccessfully to find space between the lines.
A good run by Taylor on the left brought Inter Miami's third goal just before halftime, and a counterattack shortly after the break finished off Atlanta.
The protagonist once again was Messi, who led a counterattack through the center of the field, drew the defense, and left Taylor alone in front of the goalkeeper. The winger didn't miss.
Inter Miami vs Atlanta United Schedule
The match will be on Tuesday, July 25th at 7:30 p.m. in Miami (5:30 p.m. in Mexico and 6:30 p.m. in Peru). Check the schedules by country below.
17:30 hours - Mexico
18:30 hours - Peru, Ecuador, Colombia
19:30 hours - Venezuela, Bolivia, United States (Miami)
20:30 hours - Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay
01:30 hours on Wednesday - Spain, Germany, Italy, France
Where to Watch Inter Miami vs Atlanta United
The Inter Miami vs Atlanta United match in the Leagues Cup will be broadcasted through the MLS Season Pass channel on the Apple TV app.
Like a Hollywood script, Lionel Messi made his debut for Inter Miami by scoring the winning goal in the last play, a magical performance that skyrocketed the already enormous expectations of his arrival to American soccer.
The spectacular free-kick goal from the Argentine in the 90+4th minute of Friday's clash against Cruz Azul, which gave Inter a 2-1 victory in the opening match of the Leagues Cup, had a worldwide impact that didn't escape the coveted and ultra-competitive sports market in the United States.
The collective madness experienced at the DRV PNK stadium in Fort Lauderdale began to materialize the vision of Inter's owners and the MLS of attracting the world's greatest star to give the definitive boost to 'soccer' ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
As much as his providential left-footed strike, over the wall and straight into the Mexican team's top corner, press media and social networks amplified the disbelief of the celebrities who witnessed the prodigy from the front row.