Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Lionel Messi, the maestro himself, once again orchestrated a dramatic victory for Inter Miami, delivering two crucial assists, including a breathtaking last-second pass, to secure a thrilling 2-1 win over Liga MX side Atlas in their Leagues Cup opener on Wednesday night. The match, a tightly contested affair at DRV PNK Stadium, saw the Argentine superstar prove precisely why he remains the heartbeat of the Herons.
Returning to action after a one-match suspension, Messi wasted no time in stamping his authority on the game. After a scoreless first half that saw both sides create chances but fail to convert, Inter Miami broke the deadlock in the 58th minute. A brilliant through ball from Sergio Busquets found Messi inside the box, who then unselfishly laid it off for Telasco Segovia to slot home, putting the Herons up 1-0.
Atlas, however, refused to be subdued. The Liga MX outfit fought back, and Rivaldo Lozano netted an equalizer in the 80th minute, setting the stage for a tense finale. Just as it seemed the points would be shared, Messi conjured another moment of pure brilliance in the 96th minute of stoppage time. Combining with Luis Suárez, Messi delivered a scintillating pass across the box to Marcelo Weigandt, who smashed home the winner. The goal was initially ruled offside, but a VAR review confirmed its validity, sending the Inter Miami faithful into raptures.
The final whistle triggered an eruption of cheers and fireworks, cementing a vital three points for Inter Miami in their Leagues Cup campaign. Messi's visible frustration with an opponent after the winning goal also quickly went viral online, showcasing his immense passion and competitive spirit.
For Inter Miami, this win, spearheaded by Messi's two assists, is a significant confidence booster as they aim to build on their recent form, which saw Messi named MLS Player of the Month for July after netting eight goals and contributing five assists in league play. The addition of Rodrigo De Paul, making his debut for the club, also added a new dimension to the midfield.
Atlas, despite the narrow defeat, put up a strong fight, demonstrating their quality and making Inter Miami work hard for every inch. This Leagues Cup encounter promises to be an exciting tournament, and with Messi in this kind of form, Inter Miami will undoubtedly be a team to watch.