In just one month with Inter Miami, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi already has his team reaching new heights. With a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia Union Tuesday, Miami advanced to the CONCACAF Leagues Cup final to put the club in position to win its first trophy in four seasons of competition.
Messi’s remarkable goal-scoring streak persists, with his ninth goal achieved in merely six games since joining Inter. This outstanding performance places him at the pinnacle of the Leagues Cup scoring chart, having scored in each of his six matches thus far.
In a mere few weeks at Inter Miami, Messi has rapidly ascended to the third spot on the club’s all-time scoring roster, trailing only 20 goals behind compatriot Gonzalo Higuain, the current leader.
The spectacle against Philadelphia witnessed Messi’s goal in the 20th minute, a low-flying rocket launched from over 30 yards out. This impressive strike eluded the grasp of Union’s keeper Andre Blake, deflecting off the right post into the net.
Jordi Alba, the Spanish veteran, bolstered Miami’s advantage with a third goal just before halftime, marking his inaugural goal in four appearances since recently joining Inter. Despite Alejandro Bedoya’s late goal for Philadelphia, effectively narrowing the gap, any prospect of a Union comeback was thwarted by David Ruiz’s fourth goal for Miami after 84 minutes.
In another gripping Leagues Cup semifinal on Tuesday, Nashville SC secured a 2-0 victory over Monterrey, setting the stage for a face-off against Miami in the final.
The showdown for the trophy is scheduled for August 19 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Leagues Cup, an annual tournament uniting MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX, witnessed expansion this year, encompassing all teams within each league.