Lionel Messi volleys Inter Miami into Leagues Cup last-16

MIAMI – Inter Miami right-back DeAndre Yedlin suggested that opponents now fear the team because of Lionel Messi, who made it five goals in three appearances as he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Orlando City in the Leagues Cup round of 32 on Wednesday.

The Argentinian superstar, who scored in his third consecutive match, netted twice from close range to maintain his 100 per cent winning record with Miami, who were winless in 11 league games before his arrival in July.

“He just gives everyone around him confidence. You can give him balls in difficult situations and know he’s going to make something out of it,” said Yedlin of his World Cup-winning teammate.

“The flipside is that for the teams we’re playing against, it puts a bit of fear in their eyes.

“They’re dropping back on their heels a bit and that gives us more space to play.”

Messi will now head on the road with Miami for the first time with Sunday’s match against FC Dallas in Texas offering a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament for top-flight teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX.

Wednesday’s Florida derby was not a game which will be featured in the Messi highlight videos but, despite being frustrated by tight marking for most of the game, the seven-time Ballon D’Or winner emerged the decisive figure once again.

A thunderstorm led to a 95-minute delay to kick-off but, when the game began, Miami picked up where they left off in their 4-0 win over Atlanta United last week – attacking with intent.

Messi took little time to settle down and opened the scoring in the seventh minute.

The Argentinian began his move at the halfway line and made a run into the box as Robert Taylor chipped the ball over several defenders.

Messi then chested down the ball and volleyed home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Orlando equalised 10 minutes later when Uruguayan midfielder Cesar Araujo pounced on a loose ball off a corner.

But Miami restored their advantage six minutes into the second half when Josef Martinez scored from the penalty spot.

Taylor and Martinez then combined in the 72nd minute on a counter-attack to set up Messi for another close-range volley and the unmarked Argentinian made no mistake to beat Pedro Gallese in Orlando’s goal.

Jordi Alba, another former Barcelona star, made his debut for Miami, coming on as a 64th-minute substitute.

Although Araujo had an effort disallowed in stoppage time, there was little trouble in the latter stages for Messi’s team. REUTERS, AFP