Messi scores two in Inter Miami’s 3-1 derby win

Messi will now head on the road with Miami for the first time with Sunday’s match with FC Dallas in Texas offering a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament

Lionel Messi made it five goals in three appearances for Inter Miami as he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup round-of-32 on Wednesday.

Messi scored twice from close range to maintain his 100 percent winning record with Miami, who were winless in 11 league games before his arrival. Messi will now head on the road with Miami for the first time with Sunday’s match with FC Dallas in Texas offering a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Wednesday’s Florida derby was not a game which will be featured in the Messi highlight videos but despite being frustrated by tight-marking for most of the game, the seven-time Ballon D’Or winner emerged the decisive figure once again.

Robert Taylor cut in from the left and chipped a perfect ball into the path of Messi who brought the ball down with his chest and volleyed home from six yards out. Orlando drew level ten minutes later through Cesar Araujo but Miami found a way to restore their lead when Martinez who feeling a slight tug from Antonio Carlos went down and won a penalty which he fired home. 

Miami made sure of the win when Taylor broke down the left and picked out Martinez at the back of the box who chested the ball and found Messi with a clever chip which the Argentine tucked away.

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