Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami to Win 2023 Leagues Cup
- MLS
United States – Lionel Messi scored early in normal time and converted the first shot in penalties as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 10-9 in a shootout in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday night.
Messi scored for the 10th time in seven games since joining Inter Miami – all in the Leagues Cup competition – converting in the 23rd minute.
The ball landed at Messi’s feet after a pass from teammate Robert Taylor was blocked. Messi dribbled past Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman and unleashed a bending shot from just outside the penalty box into the top left corner of the goal. Diving goalkeeper Elliot Panicco had no chance at playing the ball.
Messi wasn’t particularly influential before he scored the goal, and the crowd showered him with boos each time he touched the ball.
But the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year scored.
Nashville tied the game in the 56th minute when Fafa Picault’s header off a corner kick ricocheted off Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi and into the net off goalkeeper Drake Callender.
Messi had a shot from the area he had scored from earlier in the 71st minute, but hit the post as the teams played to a 1-1 draw in regulation.
Miami striker Leonardo Campana had a chance to win the game in the last play in regulation, but his sliding shot on an open goal hit the post. Messi held his head in his hands when the ball trickled out of play.
Messi calmly converted the first shot in penalties and it was Callender who scored the go-ahead penalty and and made a title-clinching stop.
“It’s a huge honor to play a role in our first win in a final,” Callender said.
