Star forward Lionel Messi scored the late goal as Inter Miami beat Charlotte FC by 4-0 to reach the semi-final round.
Lionel Messi scores his eighth goal of season
Lionel Messi Against Charlotte FC in the League Cup 2023 quarterfinal on Friday, August 11, Lionel Messi scores once more, continuing his stellar start for Inter Miami. With his eighth goal in five games, the illustrious forward helped Inter Miami advance to the semifinals.
The 36-year-old Argentine star is playing a key role in Inter Miami’s success in the cup matches and has been in sensational form while playing in the United States. Inter Miami took an early 1-0 lead after forward Joseph Martinez scored a penalty-kick goal. Robert Taylor scored an easy tap-in goal in the 32nd minute thanks to a brilliant assist from Sergio Busquets and full-back DeAndre Yedlin.
Miami’s solid defense held Charlotte off for the next 45 minutes without allowing a goal, but they were unable to overcome it. Nine shots were fired, but only two hit their intended targets. Miami had a 62 percent possession rate and a 90 percent pass accuracy rate, both of which were game-highs.
Adilson Malanda, a centre-back for Charlotte, unluckily put Messi’s through ball into his own goal, which resulted in Inter Miami’s third goal. Messi’s fifth straight game of scoring was nearly prevented by Charlotte, but the former Barcelona captain beat Kahlina with an easy goal to continue his incredible run.
Messi has now scored in each of his Inter Miami games. They are now considered favorites to win the inaugural Leagues Cup, which features 47 clubs from the USA and Mexico. On August 16, at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, they will play Philadelphia Union in the semifinal match.
Only five of Inter Miami’s 22 MLS games this season have resulted in victories, but every game was played before Messi, Busquets, and Jordi Alba joined the league. The team owned by David Beckham has won all five of its League Cup contests to date and is just two victories away from the championship trophy.