Messi continues to shine after 1-match ban

On the morning of July 31, Lionel Messi continued to shine after his 1-match ban in MLS with two assists to help Inter Miami win dramatically 2-1 against Atlas in the opening match of the 2025 Leagues Cup.

Messi had two assists to help Inter Miami win 2-1 - Photo: REUTERS

Right from the first minutes, the match was a tight affair. Messi and Inter Miami controlled the ball better. But Atlas had more shots, signaling that the match would not be easy for the home team.

The deadlock was broken after the break. In the 58th minute, Miami's relentless attack paid off.

From a clever through ball from Busquets into the box, Messi set up Segovia in a position with an open goal. The young striker did not miss the opportunity to tap the ball into the empty net and 1-0 for Inter Miami.

However, the surprise happened in the 80th minute. From a quick counter-attack, Hernandez passed the player marking him and passed into the penalty area, creating an opportunity for Lozano to tap the ball close to the goal, leveling the score 1-1 for Atlas.

It seemed like the match would end in a draw, but a surprise happened in the last minute of extra time. In the 90+6 minute, a beautiful attacking combination ended with a delicate cross pass from Messi. And Weigandt scored, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Inter Miami.

The assist in the 90+6 minute helped Inter Miami have a dramatic victory - Photo: REUTERS

In this match, new signing Rodrigo De Paul made his debut in the starting lineup. He partnered Sergio Busquets in the center of the midfield, supporting Messi in the attacking midfield role. In the attack, the trio of Luis Suarez, Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende appeared.

In the next two matches at the 2025 Leagues Cup, Messi will play with Inter Miami against Necaxa on August 2 and Unam on August 6.

This year's 2025 Leagues Cup will adopt a new format with the participation of 18 MLS teams and 18 Mexican championship teams.

In the group stage, each team will face three opponents from the other league. The eight best teams from the MLS group and the Mexico group will then advance to the quarterfinals, where they will compete in a single-elimination format.

TUAN LONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/messi-tiep-tuc-toa-sang-sau-an-cam-thi-dau-1-tran-20250731095930263.htm