grapplegraphics.com It was an insane performance you’ll have to see to believe. Superstar Lionel Messi, 36, scored another goal. Last-place Inter Miami, Messi’s club, also pulled off an upset to reach the quarterfinals of a cup competition.
Miami battled FC Dallas to a 4-4 tie through 90 minutes in the round of 16 of the 2023 League Cup at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, USA, on Sunday (July 7), but the Red Bulls prevailed 5-4 on penalties to advance to the quarterfinals of the competition. Messi’s multi-goal performance was crucial, as he scored the game-winner and then a late equalizer to set the stage for the upset.
Messi scored two goals on the day, but he did more than that. All four goals came through him. Messi opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a calm left-footed shot from the penalty arc. Messi’s performance rattled Miami. They gave up the next three goals to fall behind 1-3. But Miami had Messi. In the 20th minute, he set up the decisive goal with a brilliant through ball from the left side that Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi converted.바카라
From there, it was all Messi. Miami conceded one more goal to fall behind 2-4, but with 10 minutes to go, they staged a comeback. Messi was the hero. In the 35th minute, Messi sent a sharp cross from a free kick opportunity on the left side that led to an own goal by Dallas’ Marco Farfan. Farfan cleared the ball off his head and into his own net. In the 40th minute, Messi scored a free-kick wonder, a shot so precise that the Dallas goalkeeper scrambled to save it, but to no avail. Messi had rescued his team from the brink. He kept the momentum going and smiled in the penalty shootout.
He was the ultimate hero. Football stats site Footmob gave Messi a 9.2 rating, the highest for either team. Messi, who played the full game, had 73 touches of the ball and was an accurate attacker, converting all three of his shots on target. His passing success rate was 89%.
Yahoo Sports in the U.S. hailed Messi’s “heroic performance.” “Messi worked his magic, he made the difference,” said France 24.
Inter Miami vs FC Dallas on July 7. Lionel Messi arrives before the match.
The match between Inter Miami and FC Dallas on July 7. Lionel Messi performs a goal celebration.
The match between Inter Miami and FC Dallas on Sunday. Lionel Messi (right) concentrates on the attack.
Messi has been on fire since joining Miami with seven goals and one assist in four games. Both have come in the League Cup. He scored a stunning free-kick debut goal against Cruz Azul (Mexico) in the League Cup on March 22. He followed that up with two goals and an assist against Atlanta United. He followed that up with a multi-goal performance against Orlando City in the round of 32. Messi also scored the winning goal in the round of 16. The League Cup is a cup competition between professional soccer teams from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Prior to Messi’s arrival, Miami was a lowly team that opponents looked down on. Owned by English soccer legend David Beckham, the Miami Heat are in last place in the Eastern Conference 15 this season. In 22 regular-season games, they’ve won just five, drawn three, and lost 14. However, they have been on a winning streak since Messi’s arrival.
Inter Miami’s match against FC Dallas on July 7. Lionel Messi kicks a free kick.
The match between Inter Miami and FC Dallas on Sunday. Lionel Messi (left) celebrates a goal with a teammate.
The match between Inter Miami and FC Dallas on Sunday. Inter Miami players celebrate after clinching a spot in the quarterfinals. /AFPBBNews=News1
The arrival of the superstar has also boosted the club’s value. Miami was founded in 2018, so the team has a fairly short history. Compared to other teams, the fan base was thin and not very popular. But with the arrival of Messi, they became the most popular team. They can’t even sell Messi jerseys. “We’re sold out of Messi jerseys and they won’t be back on sale until November,” Antrupnauer said last month. Messi’s popularity has skyrocketed. The signing of Messi has also brought former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to Miami. For Beckham and the city of Miami, it’s a win-win.
The Argentine forward is considered one of the best players in soccer history. He is a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, which is awarded to the world’s best player of the year. According to soccer statistics site Squawka, Messi has scored 704 goals and provided 303 assists in 853 European matches. In addition to his 37 trophies, Messi led his country Argentina to a long-held dream of winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
FC Dallas against Inter Miami on July 7. Lionel Messi greets an opposing player.