Lionel Messi Dominates Orlando City

Inter Miami CF defeated Orlando City SC 3-1, with two goals from Lionel Messi and one from Josef Martnez, clinching a spot in the League Cup Round of 16.

Lineup Notes

DeAndre Yedlin, Sergii Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller, and Noah Allen formed the back four; Dixon Arroyo, Sergio Busquets, and Benjamin Cremaschi started in midfield; and Messi and Robert Taylor flanked striker Martnez on the wings.

The starting lineup for Inter Miami was unchanged from the team’s 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in the final Leagues Cup group stage match. However, two of the Club’s most recent additions, legendary Spanish left-back Jordi Alba and young Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gómez, were named to the matchday squad for the Round of 32 matches.

Match Action

Due to a weather delay, the kickoff was delayed by nearly 90 minutes, but Inter Miami came out strong once the game began. Busquets threaded a through ball to Cremaschi, who quickly played the ball out to Taylor on the left wing in the seventh minute. The Finnish winger cut in, around the defense, and clipped a delicate pass into the box for Messi, who took a touch off his chest and volleyed past the keeper for an early 1-0 lead. Taylor’s sixth assist of the season made it the third time the pair connected on a goal since Messi’s debut.

Callender made a low save to palm away a shot heading for the far post in the 17th minute, but the rebound fell to César Arajo, who fired his shot into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

The second half continued at a competitive pace, with both teams creating chances. Inter Miami had the majority of possession, while the front three created chances in the final third. Callender, on the other hand, made a few saves to keep the game tied at one goal apiece at the half.

Inter Miami then took the lead again in the first few minutes of the second half. Cremaschi played a through ball into the box for Martnez, who was brought down and awarded a penalty. The Venezuelan striker then stepped up, stuttered, fooled the goalkeeper, and converted the penalty to retake the lead. Martnez’s goal was to finish seventh overall in all competitions in 2023.

Gómez and Alba made their Inter Miami debuts in the 64th minute, the latter a former teammate of Messi and Busquets at FC Barcelona. Allen and Cremaschi were replaced by Alba and Gómez.

Messi played Taylor down the left wing, clipping a pass to Martnez at the far post, who took a touch off his chest in the 72nd minute. Martnez calmly picked out a pass for Messi in front of goal, and the Argentine volleyed a right-footed strike into the bottom corner for a 3-1 lead. Messi’s fifth goal for the team and his second straight brace in just his third appearance, while Martnez’s assist was his second of the season.

Miami maintained control of the majority of possession throughout the remainder of the game, with a strong 63.8% possession rate at the final whistle, securing a 3-1 victory in front of a sold-out crowd at DRV PNK Stadium.

Post-Match Reaction

“I think we’re doing well, above all else winning, which is a good place to start. We’re getting better at circulating the ball with each passing game, and more clinical at the top end of the pitch,” said head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino. “If we solidify the defensive end a bit – I see growth in this aspect – and we can guarantee clean sheets, we’ll have great chances for the players from midfield forward to score goals every match.”

Inter Miami will play FC Dallas in the League Cup Round of 16 this Sunday, Aug. 6, at Toyota Stadium.