Messi brace, 3rd straight game with a goal, Inter Miami beats Orlando City 3-1 to reach league cup Last 16.
— Lionel Messi scored in his third straight game and had his second consecutive multi-goal performance for Inter Miami in a 3-1 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday night.
The Leagues Cup Round of 32 match was delayed 95 minutes because of thunderstorms.
Messi scored seven minutes into the match then added a second strike in the 72nd minute. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has five goals in three games since his highly-anticipated MLS debut July 21.
As he eluded the Orlando City backline, Messi stopped a pass from Robert Taylor on his chest, dribbled a couple of yards near the edge of the 6-yard box and converted a shot that landed under the crossbar.
Messi struck again when he received a centering pass from Josef Martinez and flicked a right-footed shot inside the left post and put Inter Miami ahead 3-1.
Inter Miami also had a scare early in the second half when Orlando’s Mauricio Pereyra collided with Messi. Messi remained on the ground, favoring his jaw for a couple of minutes.
Messi received his first yellow card with Inter Miami after he was cited for a hard foul in the 21st minute.
He scored the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul and added two goals in a victory over Atlanta United.
When does Messi play next?
Inter Miami will next play FC Dallas in the Round of 16 of the Leagues Cup. The game is scheduled for Sunday in Dallas – Messi’s first road game since joining MLS. The time is TBD.
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