Inter Miami eased past Philadelphia Union in the semi-final of the Leagues Cup, winning 4-1 at Subaru Field as Lionel Messi scored AGAIN.
It took just three minutes for Miami to take the lead, as Josef Martinez found the bottom corner to give the visiting team the perfect start. Messi wasn’t involved in the opening goal, but announced his arrival at Subaru Park with a stunning goal from 36 yards to double their lead inside 20 minutes.
Jordi Alba punished Philadelphia late in the first half to open his account for Miami, rushing forward and lifting his effort past Andre Blake after Robert Taylor played him through. The second half remained frantic, with Philadelphia missing multiple chances to score before Alejandro Bedoya finally pulled one back on 73 minutes, converting with a clever finish following a corner.
But if the game wasn’t already done, substitute David Ruiz scored his second career goal for Miami and dashed any hope of a late comeback. It’s Miami that advance to Saturday’s final, six talking points from another Messi masterclass below.
Impact on Josef Martinez
When Messi arrived in Miami the spotlight was of course on him, and it will stay that way until the day he leaves. The 36-year-old has brought the best out of Taylor against the odds, but Martinez struggled in front of goal during his first two games alongside Messi.
But with the captain’s armband Messi showed his class and leadership, giving Martinez the ball for a penalty kick against Orlando City to boost his confidence. Martinez scored and the relief on his face was clear to see, but then Messi gave him the chance from 12 yards again in their quarter final match against Charlotte FC.
Until Tuesday night they were the only two goals Martinez had scored, but he looked full of confidence against Philadelphia – Miami’s toughest test yet. Martinez broke through inside the first three minutes against a team that had only conceded four goals in the entire Leagues Cup run, and he fired a first-time shot into the bottom left corner. The change in Martinez from Messi’s debut is night and day.
Messi scores another screamer
Messi wasn’t involved in Miami’s opening goal on Tuesday, something that’s already becoming a rarity. But he scored their second completely off his own back, trying his luck from 36 yards as the Philadelphia defence backed away from him out of fear.
‘Trying his luck’ may be a little harsh, as it’s Messi and there’s no luck about him. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner powered his effort into the far-right corner to stun Subaru Park, adding another screamer to his growing collection for Miami.
Messi has only played six games for Miami, but already has a highlight reel to himself with two stunning free kicks and now a long range effort. His seventh game, and an unlikely final now awaits Miami on Saturday, and it’s likely he could save his most special moment yet for the big occasion.
Jordi Alba scores his first goal
It’s not just Messi that’s arrived in Miami, as former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have since joined him. Busquets has changed the whole midfield dynamic with his quality, experience and composure, and Alba is just getting started at left back.
In his earlier years Alba played on the left wing, and has looked to push forward for Miami too. On Tuesday night he got his first goal, breaking forward after being played through by Taylor before putting the ball in the far corner past Blake.
Miami pounced on defensive errors from Philadelphia for every goal, but really hurt them at either end of the first half. Now that Alba has his first goal he’ll be feeling confident, giving opposition players another threat to worry about.
