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Lionel Messi once again decided to lead his Inter Miami side by example and pulled out a world class performance during the team’s 4-0 demolition of Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup.
Messi scored the final goal of the game, but arguably the most viral moment of the match came when Messi deftly escorted the ball through two Charlotte defenders and caused the pair to crash into each other. Fans were delighted to see the Argentine’s legendary balance and ball control on display yet again as the World Cup winner made the MLS opposition look amateurish in comparison.
Being tailed by one defender, and with another rapidly closing in, Messi made it look almost too easy to be real as he just quietly side steps away with the ball and the incoming defender crashes into his own teammate. The scene is like something out of a cartoon, especially given the rather slow pace of the whole situation. The MLS isn’t known for their hard pressing playstyle, but Messi’s movement made the Charlotte FC players look almost non-league in comparison. The Argentine has proved to be instrumental in turning around the fortunes of Inter Miami that was putting out shambolic performances prior to his arrival at the DRV PNK Stadium.
Inter Miami thrash Charlotte in Leagues Cup quarter-finals
Messi might end up winning a trophy with Inter Miami before he has played a single league game. The team is cruising through the inaugural Leagues Cup tournament and look like odds on favourites to win the whole tournament if Messi continues his good run of form. The team looks completely refreshed from where they were prior to the summer arrivals, and perhaps nothing encompasses this better than their victory over Charlotte FC on August 12.
The quarter-final fixture proved to be no hindrance to the Herons as they were cleanly beaten 4-0 at the DRV PNK Stadium. Josef got the hosts a lead with a 17th minute penalty before Robert Taylor doubled the lead. In the second half, an own goal by Malanda and a strike by Messi completed the convincing victory.
Inter Miami will now face Philadelphia in the Leagues Cup semi-final on Wednesday, August 16th at 4:30 AM IST.
