Inter Miami was looking in a deep hole after Dallas FC scored their fourth of the night via a Miami own goal during their Leagues Cup round of 16 fixture at the sold-out Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Another own goal by Dallas in the 80th minute gave Miami a bit of life, and in the 84th minute, Lionel Messi blasted an astonishing free-kick outside the box to put the game on level, 4-4.
HE DID IT AGAIN. 🤯
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
LEO MESSI. FREE KICK. EQUALIZER. 4-4. pic.twitter.com/Yh1TXFDENH
The game went to penalties, and Miami completed the comeback by nailing all five of their penalties while Dallas missed their second. Club academy product Benjamin Cremaschi put the nail in the coffin by striking the winning penalty.
Messi scored twice in this game and is now the top scorer of this year's Leagues Cup with seven goals. Inter Miami remains unbeaten in all matches featuring Messi, winning their fourth straight after failing to win their nine games before his arrival.
Miami will face the winner of tomorrow's Houston Dynamo and Charlotte FC match in the quarterfinal scheduled later this week.
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Jordi Alba sublime in first start
Sunday saw the first start of Miami's latest star signing, left-back Jordi Alba. The Spaniard came as a substitute in his debut last game against Orlando.
The 34-year-old provided two assists against Dallas, including the first goal of the match to Messi, reminiscent of the link-up between the two during Messi's game-winning El Clasico goal against Real Madrid in 2017.
Alba dished his second assist of the night to CremaschI's goal in the 65th minute.
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