How Lionel Messi's two goals helped Inter Miami beat FC Dallas on penalties in Leagues Cup
Pure chaos
This wild match finished 4-4 after Inter Miami rallied from two goals down to draw with FC Dallas:
- Dallas goals: Facundo Quignón (37'), Bernard Kamungo (45'), Alan Velasco (63'), Robert Taylor (68' OG)
- Miami goals: Lionel Messi (6', 85'), Benjamin Cremaschi (65'), Marco Farfan (80' OG)
Miami advance to the Leagues Cup quarter-finals, where they will host the winner of Charlotte FC vs Houston Dynamo FC on Friday or Saturday.
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Savor another ‘Messi moment’
(Photo: Getty Images)
It would be silly at this point to expect anything different than what happened in the 85th minute on Sunday night in Frisco, Texas.
Since arriving in the U.S., Lionel Messi has done nothing but deliver for Inter Miami. So, as he lined up a free kick from the right side of the box in the waning minutes of the game, his team trailing by a goal, everyone knew what was coming. And yet, even so.
“When you actually see it happening,” Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender said, “it’s kind of surreal.”
FC Dallas’ wall timed its jump perfectly. Goalkeeper Maarten Paes covered as much space as he could with a dive and an outstretched arm. And yet, Messi’s free kick curled toward the upper corner, kissing ever so slightly off the bottom of the crossbar before hitting the net.
The score was tied, 4-4. Inter Miami, down two goals just minutes before, had pulled even.
Messi had delivered another signature moment in a Miami shirt. Go Further below.
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Even Messi can still have a new experience
(Photo: Getty Images)
Tonight's match incredibly marks the very first penalty shootout victory of Lionel Messi's club career.
During his entire time with Barcelona, the team only participated in one shootout, in the 2020-21 Spanish Super Cup semi-final, but Messi did not appear in that match.
And during his two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, the club lost the only shootout they participated in, against Nice in the 2021-22 Coupe de France round of 16.
For a man who has done it all in world football, to still experience something for the first time at 36 years of age is quite rare.
Messi's shot map
(Jeff Rueter)
Lionel Messi has scored seven goals in four matches for Inter Miami thus far, including two dramatic late free kicks.
Miami's half of bracket
(Wikipedia)
Here's an updated look at the half of the Leagues Cup bracket that contains Inter Miami.
Plenty of Messi fans in Texas
Despite tonight's match being Lionel Messi's first in MLS away from home, he had plenty of fans in the house.
Messi's night summed up
Photo: Getty Images
- Minutes: 90
- Goals: 2
- Expected goals: 0.34
- Shots: 5
- Shots on goal: 3
- Assists: 1
- Expected assists: 0.6
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Match stats
FC Dallas 4-4 Inter Miami
- Shots: 12 - 12
- Shots on goal: 4 - 5
- Saves: 1 - 1
- Possession: 34% - 67%
- Offsides: 2 - 3
- Corners: 1 - 1
- Fouls: 9 - 8
- Yellow cards: 1 - 1
Video of Cremaschi's winning penalty
Lax security for Beckham
Cremaschi: We know that we can rally in a matter of seconds
Photo: Getty Images
Benjamin Cremaschi to Apple TV on his goal and his winning penalty: "Obviously it's exciting. As soon as I came in, with a lot of energy, I tried to change the game and make a difference and I was lucky enough to get a goal in two or three minutes. The team fought really hard to get the game back. When they gave me the fifth penalty I knew where I was going. I trusted in what I was doing."
He added that Miami's subs didn't warm up during the first half due to the heat.
On coming from behind: "You can see our mentality, how things have changed in this club. How we're willing to fight to the last second. With the quality of players that we have, we know that we can be down a bunch of goals and still come back in a matter of seconds."
On Messi's impact: "I don't get tired of talking about him, I never will. It's amazing what he can do. He's scored twice in almost every game."
Velasco gets coveted Messi jersey
The latest MLS player to get a Messi match-worn shirt? Alan Velasco, easily Dallas' man of the match.
Will Messi ever hand his shirt to someone in MLS who's not from Argentina?
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Tata: A demonstration of our character
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino spoke to Apple TV through a translator after the thrilling win:
"Dallas was playing better for almost 60 minutes. In the second half we played much better. It was a demonstration of character because it was very hard to come back from behind twice.
"This bodes well for us because it helps us believe we're a great team. We can come back from behind when we're playing well."
When do Lionel Messi and Inter Miami play next?
Inter Miami advance to the Leagues Cup quarter-finals, where they will host the winner of Charlotte FC vs Houston Dynamo FC on Friday or Saturday.
Cremaschi ends it! Miami win!
Cremaschi sends Paes the wrong way and Miami have won the penalty shootout 5-3!
Ferreira scores!
Ferreira coolly sends Callender the wrong way and keeps Dallas alive for now.
Miami lead 4-3 after four rounds. Cremaschi can end it here...
Miller scores!
Paes guesses the right way just as Callender just did, but Miller's shot also beats him to the same corner.
Miami lead 4-2. Dallas have to score their next penalty or this is over. Ferreira steps up...
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Quignon scores!
Callender guesses the right way but Quignon's shot beats him to the corner to keep Dallas alive.
Miami lead 3-2 after three rounds.
Campana scores!
Campana freezes Paes and sends his shot into the corner. Miami lead 3-1.
Pomykal misses!
Pomykal skies his shot way over the crossbar! Advantage Miami! 2-1 after two rounds.