Lionel Messi's Goal Frenzy as Inter Miami Advances to the Leagues Cup Semifinals
With a 4-0 victory against Charlotte FC on Friday, Lionel Messi gave Inter Miami eight goals in five games as they breezed into the Leagues Cup semifinals. In the 86th minute of what was a very simple victory for Gerardo Martino's club, the Argentine tucked in Miami's fourth goal.
After defeating Queretaro 2-1 in Mexico, Miami will go up north to take on the Philadelphia Union in the semifinal matchup on Tuesday.
Despite playing one of his quieter games in Miami's pink jersey in front of Argentina's national team coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi was still able to find the net for his adoring crowd and contribute to Miami's fifth consecutive victory since his arrival.
Josef Martinez's penalty gave Miami the lead in the 12th minute, and in the 32nd minute, the in-form Robert Taylor doubled their lead by converting a low cross from DeAndre Yedlin.
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After the half, Charlotte showed more initiative, and substitute Patrick Agyemang could have pulled one back but his close-range header flew over the bar. For the first 45 minutes, Charlotte had mostly been content to annoy Messi and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets.
After that missed opportunity, Miami sealed the game when Diego Gomez played a low ball towards Lionel Messi in the centre. However, Charlotte's Adilson Malanda's attempted interception resulted in an own goal.
Malanda's unfortunate tumble had prevented the home crowd from celebrating a Messi goal, but it would happen three minutes from time.Ecuadorian attacker Leonardo Campana had time inside the area as the North Carolina team wore down to calmly glance up and pass the ball to Messi for the most straightforward of conversions.
Martino was thrilled to see his team maintain control of the game after Sunday's chaotic affair in Dallas finished 4-4, with Miami advancing after penalties.
"We had the ball in our possession for lengthier stretches, and I believe the opposition had only one clean opportunity. Other than that, I believe our defense wasn't compromised, according to the former Argentina and Barcelona coach.
"It's very difficult for us not to score goals, which is why we talk a lot about keeping a clean sheet because that's almost a guarantee of being able to win the game," he claimed..
