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Lionel Messi’s debut with Inter Miami was one for the history books, he scored an unforgettable free kick on the death penalty to give his team the victory.
Lionel Messi’s time in Miami got off to an absolute start to the storyline on Friday, as the World Cup-winning Argentine scored a 94th-minute free-kick to win the match.
Messi was expected to get 30 minutes but he played more than that, coming on in the 54th minute with his side leading 1-0.
And it didn’t take long for him to explain why Miami and MLS celebrated his signing, as he zipped around the field and slipped between teammates behind the defense a few times.
Cruz Azul would level the match in the 65th minute, but in the end there was plenty of time left for Messi’s champions as the hosts won.
DeAndre Yedlin swiveled the ball to Messi in the top of the penalty area, before the Argentine fell nearly 20 yards out.
Lionel Messi gave Inter Miami a back-and-forth victory with a stunning free kick in the 94th minute. It was a dream start to life in the USA for Messi, who was roaming around the pitch in a free role, Messi and Joseph Martinez celebrate his game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time.
It would always be him standing over the free kick, and he curled the ball into the top left corner to win the game.
The introductions of Messi and Busquets came in the second half, after Miami took the lead in the second half through Robert Taylor.
The winger cut in on the right foot in the 44th minute and found the far post of the net, where the ball hit the woodwork and went into the net.
It took Inter Miami four years of planning and two years of actual chasing to bring Messi to the club.
Messi quickly made an impact as he played a free kick. Messi and Inter Miami will now face Atlanta in their next League Cup match on Tuesday.
“Worth it,” co-owner David Beckham said earlier in the week.
How right he was.
No one left their seats even when the half-time whistle blew.
The reason: Messi was on the field. He warmed up for about five minutes during halftime with the other reserves before they all left for the locker room.
Team officials said all tickets — about 21,000 tickets in a newly expanded stadium — were sold out. Messi arrived with the team almost two hours before the match, dressed in the team colors – a pink T-shirt and black shorts.
Messi arrived at the match at DRV PNK Stadium wearing the pink Inter Miami jersey, and the Argentine started to sit on the bench as expected, entering in the 54th minute.
He stops for a few photos and handshakes as he enters the tunnel to the locker room.
Grab a hug and share a few words with LeBron James — another guy who knows a thing or two about moving to Miami, having joined the Heat in 2010 and won his first of two NBA titles in a four-year stay — on his way to the bench.
Messi sat back and watched his new team, in all pink jersey, shorts and socks, begin his new era.
Nearly every seat was full, many wearing newly acquired Miami jerseys with Messi’s name across the back. They chanted his name several times and waved flags bearing his name and number.
Fans will have the chance to do it again next week.
Miami will face Atlanta on Tuesday in its next match in the League Cup.
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Sources 2/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12325995/amp/Lionel-Messi-makes-dream-start-life-USA-stoppage-time-free-kick-goal-Inter-Miami-win-Leagues-Cup-vs-Cruz-Azul.html The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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