Footballer Lionel Messi always takes the Messi Mania hype to the next level. Messi acquired two goals including the equalizer to tie the Leagues Cup Round of 16 game at 4 in the 85th minute, and Inter Miami advanced past FC Dallas with a 5-3 edge on penalty kicks. He played and won all four games.
This was done like a comeback for Messi and his new club. Messi is the World Cup champion with Argentina and seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or.
Nico Estévez, FC Dallas coach, said, “I thought we had it. We put them in a really difficult position in this game.”
On August 11 or 12, Messi and Inter Miami will move to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals where they will play against Charlotte FC.
In the 85th minute, Messi’s free-kick into the right side of the net resulted in the game tie. His brilliant free kick in his Inter Miami debut was unforgettable. This was the most thrilling kick in his MLS tenure, which helped Inter Miami to have the required two-goal deficit in the second half.
Estévez said, “I think it’s not much to say. I think everyone can see it. It’s obvious for him a free kick around there is like a PK for another player.”
Messi’s goal that tied the game resulted in a penalty kick, for which he won the coin toss and made the first goal, while Paxton Pomykal of FC Dallas missed the second kick, resulting in their loss despite the extraordinary performance in the context of the stage.
An 18-year-old native Argentinian, Benjamin Cremaschi, kicked the winning shot for Inter Miami. He also made the goal for Inter Miami in the 65th minute. “I knew where I was going, and I knew how I was going to take it,” he said.
Inter Miami scored 2-1 at halftime, 3-1 at the beginning of the second half and 4-2 after Robert Taylor acquired a goal in the 68th minute. It felt like Inter Miami’s own goal was the back-breaking blow, especially three minutes after Cremaschi’s goal. Then Messi took care of the rest.
Messi’s free-kick was linked to FC Dallas’ Marco Farfan, who scored a goal of his own in the 80th minute, changing the course of the match. Before the penalty shootout, Messi’s most exciting free kick of the game led Inter Miami to come back into the game.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, said, “You have this sensation that he’s going to score,” Messi’s propensity for converting free kicks into goals has been compared to a 90-10 advantage for him and a 10-90 disadvantage for any other player.
This was Messi’s first road game with Inter Miami as well as the club’s first loss after Messi arrived. It was also the first time that Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba performed together as they did as FC Barcelona teammates.
Messi’s opening goal in the sixth minute and Cremaschi’s score saw Alba’s good performance with two assists.
But it appeared that Taylor, who made three goals in Messi’s first three games, was not happy with Alba’s position on the left side but this did not affect the game.
Messi played a major role for Inter Miami, and Cremaschi’s goals advanced the club into the Leagues Cup. Soccer fans who are longing to watch Messi in action will see him shine in the next game.
In a postgame interview with Apple TV, Martino said, “It was a demonstration of character because it’s difficult to come back in a game twice.”
When will Messi play next?
Inter Miami will play their next match against the winner of Monday’s match, Charlotte FC who won 2-1 against Houston Dynamo FC, in Houston.
On Friday, the Leagues Cup quarterfinals will be held at DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi’s game-tying goal: Inter Miami 4, FC Dallas 4
This was Messi’s shining moment when he scored a goal in the 85th minute that helped Inter Miami into a tie game at 4 against FC Dallas.
Inter Miami required a two-goal deficit in the second half, and Messi took care of it.
FC Dallas 4, Inter Miami 3
Messi’s free-kick drove all the players toward the net.Marco Farfan kicked towards his net taking FC Dallas lead in the 80th minute.
Inter Miami came back to the game with their own goal securing them in the last 10 minutes.
FC Dallas 4, Inter Miami 2
FC Dallas was in the lead 4-2, with an own goal by Inter Miami’s Robert Taylor, who impressively kicked the ball into the opposition’s net.
Inter Miami, three minutes after acquiring the deficit to 1, is staring at a two-goal deficit again.
FC Dallas 3, Inter Miami 2
Jordi Alba has his second assist of the game, and Benjamin Cremaschi acquired a goal in the 65th minute to bring Inter Miami back into the game.
While Inter Miami trails, the quick answer came two minutes after FC Dallas took the lead in the game.
FC Dallas 3, Inter Miami 1
Alan Velasco scored a goal in the 63rd minute, creating a series of goals for both sides in the second half of the game.
Halftime: FC Dallas 2, Inter Miami 1
Two goals were made within eight minutes, and Inter Miami required its first deficit in the Messi era.
Bernard Kamungo banged a goal through Inter Miami’s defender and goalie near the right side in the 45th minute, and FC Dallas was in the lead at 2-1.
Inter Miami has never lagged behind any of its rivals with Messi on the team. Now, the pressure build on Messi in his first game with Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi goal: Inter Miami 1, FC Dallas 0
Messi scores six goals with Inter Miami.
Messi’s left boot connected for a goal in the sixth minute giving Inter Miami a 1-0 lead against FC Dallas.
He has scored goals in the eighth minute during his first start, seventh in his second start, and now in the sixth minute of his third start.
The goal was made official later after a review.
Messi’s goal was rejected at first but later reviewed by the referees. Inter Miami’s Josef Martinez was offsides, but he was within the goalie’s range of vision and had no part to play the ball as Messi scored the goal near him.
Messi’s highlights with Inter Miami
Messi has scored two goals each in the last two games. He made the first goal in both games before the 10-minute mark. Since Messi arrived, Inter Miami has gotten into two fast games.
Messi also scored the winning goal in his first Inter-Miami game during extra time.
Messi played his first complete game with Inyer Miami against Orlando City. He came off the bench in his debut and played till the 78th minute of his second game.
Lionel Messi’s next game:
The winner of the Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas game will play against the winner of the Houston Dynamo FC vs. Charlotte FC in the quarterfinals on Aug. 11-12.
If Inter Miami manages to bounce into the Leagues Cup, it will have an extended break until the MLS regular season resumes on Aug. 20.
What is the League Cup?
The League Cup is a 47-team tournament having the five most prominent teams against teams in Mexico’s Liga MX. The quarter finals are scheduled for Aug. 11-12, the semifinals on Aug. 16, and the final and third-place game will be held on Aug. 19.
