Messi scored twice in 22 minutes for Inter Miami
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Within the first 22 minutes, Lionel Messi scored a brace for Inter Miami against Atlanta United. At the opening goal, after an excellent assist from Sergio Busquets, Messi faced the goalkeeper and sent the ball into the far corner of the goal in an unsuccessful attempt to save the opponent's defender.
Not long after, it was the turn of attacking partner Robert Taylor to assist Messi to make it 2-0. It was he who initiated the attack by leading the ball close to the box, before receiving the pass and finishing inside the box. It was La Pulga's third goal for Inter Miami in just his second appearance.
Before the end of the first half, Taylor scored Inter Miami's third to make it 3-0 after a beautiful left-footed shot into the top corner of goalkeeper Brad Guzan's goal. Messi was also involved in this goal combination.
Messi continued to show his great role on the field when he initiated the fourth goal in the 53rd minute. The Argentinian striker led the ball from home to start a counterattack, then passed smoothly for Taylor to cross down. Cross the corner to make it 4-0.
In the 70th minute, it seemed that Taylor had scored a hat-trick after another good combination. Still Messi led the ball and made a slot for Josef Martinez to stretch for Taylor to finish but hit goalkeeper Guzan.
After respectively withdrawing Busquets, Messi, and Taylor from the field, Inter Miami had to play short in the last minutes because McVey received a direct red card for a foul in the penalty area. However, on the penalty spot, Messi's Argentina teammate Thiago Almada failed to beat goalkeeper Drake Callender.
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Inter Miami played the second game of the Leagues Cup against Atlanta United in search of tickets after beating Cruz Azul in the opening match thanks to a decisive goal from Lionel Messi.
Lionel Messi's appearance at Inter Miami Stadium for the game against Atlanta United for the Leagues Cup continues to be warmly received by fans.
Meanwhile, young talent Thiago Almada leads the Atlanta United attack in the trip to Inter Miami.
Inter Miami: Drake Callender; DeAndre Yedlin, Sergey Krivstov, Kamal Miller and Noah Allen; Busquets, Dixon Arroyo, Benjamin Cremaschi; Messi, Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor.
Brad Guzan; Miles Robinson, Juan Sanchez, Luis Abram; Brooks Lennon, Santiago Sosa, Matheus Rossetto, Caleb Wiley; Tyler Wolf, Georgios Giakounakis and Thiago Almada.