As the first half comes to a close, Messi and Inter Miami have secured a 2-0 advantage over Charlotte. Martinez and Taylor were the early goal-scorers. Stay tuned for real-time updates.
Will the Messi Mania continue as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami take on Leagues Cup play? At halftime, Inter Miami holds a 2-0 lead against Charlotte FC at DRV PNK Stadium in the quarterfinals of the tournament on Friday night. All Inter Miami matches can be enjoyed through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
While Messi hasn't scored in this particular match yet, he's already netted an impressive seven goals in his initial four games with Inter Miami, all leading to victories for his team.
Inter Miami is striving for its fifth consecutive win since Messi joined the Miami MLS squad, which boasts co-ownership by soccer legend David Beckham.
The team that emerges victorious from the Inter Miami-Charlotte FC match will go on to face the winner of the Philadelphia Union-Querétaro matchup in the semifinals scheduled for August 16th.
At the halfway point, the score stands at Inter Miami 2, Charlotte 0. Although Messi's performance in the first half was relatively subdued compared to his usual standards, he and his Inter Miami teammates are just one half away from securing a spot in the Leagues Cup semifinal.
In the opening half, Miami's goals were netted by Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor, giving them a 2-0 advantage as they head into the locker rooms.
At the 30th minute, Messi took a shot on goal, delivering a short kick with his left foot that was skillfully defended by the goalie, using both hands to block the attempt.
Should Inter Miami progress, their next opponent in the semifinals will be the victor of the ongoing Philadelphia Union-Querétaro match, which is taking place tonight. Philadelphia currently holds an early 1-0 lead in the game.
Robert Taylor finds the net, extending Inter Miami's lead to 2-0 against Charlotte. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi's goal drought continues, but Inter Miami maintains their advantage.
In the 32nd minute, Taylor beautifully placed the ball into the left corner of the net, marking his fourth goal in Leagues Cup play. DeAndre Yedlin provided the assist for this crucial goal.
The match didn't start well for Messi in terms of scoring, as his recent streak of early goals came to an end. However, just two minutes later, Inter Miami managed to put themselves on the scoreboard. Josef Martinez converted a penalty kick in the 12th minute, giving Inter Miami a 1-0 lead, capitalizing on a foul by Charlotte.
For those eager to catch Messi in action tonight with Inter Miami, all their games are available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Additionally, fans seeking a free game can look forward to Inter Miami's U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Aug. 23, which will be streamed on the CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Messi has shown a penchant for quick starts in recent games. He's managed to score within the first 10 minutes in the past three games, and with each match, his scoring time has decreased: eight minutes, seven minutes, and finally, six minutes in the most recent start. Can Messi find the net within five minutes this time?
Remarkably, Messi has already etched his name in Inter Miami's record books after just four games with the MLS franchise. With seven goals, he shares the fourth spot in franchise history with teammates Josef Martinez, Lewis Morgan, and former Inter Miami player Rodolfo Pizarro. His next goal will tie him with Robert Taylor (8) for third place, setting the stage for a fascinating climb up the rankings.
In tonight's game, Messi will once again share the field with former FC Barcelona standouts Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. This marks their second game together with Inter Miami. The starting lineups for both teams are as follows:
As Messi's highlights with Inter Miami reveal, he's been a prolific scorer, recording three braces (two goals in each game). His consistent early goals have often set the tone for Inter Miami, leading them to fast starts when Messi is on the field.
In his most recent game against Dallas, Messi scored a crucial goal from a free kick in the 85th minute, securing Inter Miami's comeback in a thrilling 4-4 tie that went to penalty kicks. Ultimately, Inter Miami triumphed 5-3 in the shootout. Messi's debut with Inter Miami also featured a game-winning goal in extra time.
Messi has been on the pitch for the entire duration of his last two games for Inter Miami, a departure from his debut when he came off the bench. In his second game, he played until the 78th minute.
Looking ahead, if Inter Miami emerges victorious tonight, they will face the winner between Philadelphia Union and Querétaro in the semifinals on Aug. 16. In case Inter Miami is eliminated from the Leagues Cup, their next scheduled match is on Aug. 23 against FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup.
For those curious about the Leagues Cup, it's a tournament involving 47 teams, pitting Major League Soccer (MLS) teams against Liga MX teams from Mexico. The quarterfinals are taking place on Friday, with the semifinals scheduled for Aug. 16, and the final along with the third-place game set for Aug. 19.
The remaining quarterfinal matchups include Philadelphia Union vs. Querétaro F.C. at 8 p.m. ET, Nashville SC vs. Minnesota United at 8:30 p.m. ET, and Los Angeles FC vs. C.F. Monterrey at 10:30 p.m. ET.
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