- Lionel Messi scored in the 6th successive game for Inter Miami as the club defeated Philadelphia Union to enter Leagues Cup final.
- Inter Miami secures first ever final in their history
Lionel Messi scored his ninth goal of the 2023 Leagues Cup to put Inter Miami up 2-0 early over the Philadelphia Union Tuesday evening. The goal came from over 30 yards out, as the Argentine picked out a corner against three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake.
The other three goals for Inter Miami came from Venezuelan international Josef Martinez, Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba, and substitute David Ruiz scored Miami’s other goals. For the Philadelphia side, Alejandro Bedoya was the only goalscorer.
A long ball forward from Ukrainian defender Sergii Kryvtsov sowed panic in the Union back line, and Martinez latched onto the pass before rifling a shot past diving Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Philadelphia should have equalised five minutes later when Hungary international Daniel Gazdag went through on goal only to shoot straight at Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender.
Gazdag had another good chance after 19 minutes, but saw his curling shot from the edge of the area fly just wide.
If that chance encouraged Philadelphia, the optimism was short-lived as Messi struck once again to punish slack Union defending.
Damion Lowe was caught napping and Martinez spun away from the defender to release Messi, who was given far too much time and space to direct a fierce low strike from outside the area into the bottom corner past Blake.
FULL HIGHLIGHT:
Although Union enjoyed plenty of territory and possession, it was Miami who struck the decisive blow on half-time.
Finland international Robert Taylor held the ball up well in midfield and took his time before picking out the overlapping Jordi Alba.
The former Barcelona star controlled and buried a clinical finish to leave Miami 3-0 up at the break.
Jakob Glesnes also wasted a gilt-edged opportunity from close range, hooking over the bar on 66 minutes.
Bedoya gave Philadelphia hope in the 73rd minute when he swept in from a chaotic corner, but Miami snuffed out any chance of a fightback when Ruiz restored the visitors’ three-goal advantage six minutes from time.
Inter Miami will take on Nashville SC in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday
NDTV/AFP
