Miami (USA), Sep 14 (EFE).- Two months after his last official match, Lionel Messi returned to compete, scoring a double and providing an assist to Uruguayan Luis Suárez to lead Inter Miami‘s comeback at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale by beating the Philadelphia Union 3-1 in the American MLS.
It had been 105 days since Messi had worn an Inter Miami shirt. His last game was a 3-3 draw against Saint Louis on June 2, when he scored his 12th goal in 12 games.
The Argentine’s tally now stands at fourteen goals in three MLS games. He plays at ease, has fun and makes a difference with impressive ease, exposing American league defenses that are not used to this type of pressure.
Inter Miami has won five games in a row and is increasingly leading the MLS East with 62 points, one step away from celebrating the Supporters’ Shield victory for the best club of the regular season.
Coach Gerardo Martino’s team has ten more points than second-placed Cincinnati with six games left in the regular season.
And that was despite the fact that the match had started in the worst possible way for Inter Miami, with a goal from the Dane Mikael Uhre after just two minutes for a Philadelphia team that came out with great concentration and brilliance.
But it took just two moves for Messi to change the course of the match. He scored the 1-1 goal in the 25th minute, taking advantage of an assist from Luis Suárez and finishing off his low cross with his right foot. Just three minutes later, he received a pass from Jordi Alba on the left and finished with his left foot to celebrate his personal double.
The Argentine was very smiling and eager to have fun with the rest of his teammates. So while the stands at Chase Stadium were asking him to score the third goal, he dedicated himself to combining with his teammates and trying to give a goal to his friend Suárez.
He was very close. In the 45th minute he had provided the assist that the Pistolero took advantage of to beat the goalkeeper from outside the area. A previous offside position caused the goal to be disallowed.
After the break, Messi had the chance to score his third goal of the night, when he won a free kick from 20 metres out. However, his shot was repelled by the wall.
The Argentine was given a scare in the 72nd minute when he received a strong blow from Sullivan on his right ankle, the same one that kept him off the pitch for the last two months. He stayed on the ground for a few seconds while Martino received a warning for protesting to the referee, but was finally able to continue without any further problems.
His game saw him booked for the first time in his MLS career, for delaying the takeover of a corner kick in the 87th minute. His team finished the game in a lackluster fashion, and had goalkeeper Drake Callender to thank for making a great save after a bad mistake by Sergio
Busquets in his area.
That save was key and allowed Inter Miami to shake off the pressure. In added time, Messi gave Suárez the assist for the 3-1 that allowed the Pistolero to celebrate his seventeenth goal of the season.
With this amount, Suárez surpassed the record of Argentine Gonzalo Higuaín (16 goals) in a season with Inter Miami.
#Messi #returns #style
2024-09-16 09:15:09
How did Lionel Messi impact Inter Miami’s victory over the Philadelphia Union?
Table of Contents
Lionel Messi Makes Triumphant Return to Inter Miami, Leads Team to 3-1 Victory Over Philadelphia Union
After a two-month hiatus, soccer superstar Lionel Messi made a triumphant return to Inter Miami, scoring two goals and providing an assist to lead his team to a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Union at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The win marks Inter Miami’s fifth consecutive victory, solidifying their position at the top of the MLS East with 62 points.
Messi’s exceptional skills were on full display as he made a difference in the game with ease, exposing American league defenses that are not accustomed to his level of pressure. His impressive performance has taken his tally to 14 goals in just 13 MLS games, making him a force to be reckoned with in the league.
The Argentine’s return to the pitch was highly anticipated, and he did not disappoint. His last official match was on June 2, when he scored his 12th goal in 12 games, leading Inter Miami to a 3-3 draw against Saint Louis. The 105-day break did not seem to have any negative impact on his skills, as he played with ease and had fun on the field.
The match started on a sour note for Inter Miami, with the Philadelphia Union scoring a goal just two minutes into the game through Mikael Uhre. However, Messi quickly turned the tide of the game with two goals in quick succession. He scored the equalizer in the 25th minute, capitalizing on an assist from Luis Suárez, and followed it up with a second goal just three minutes later, finishing off a pass from Jordi Alba with his left foot.
Messi’s exceptional skills and vision on the field were evident throughout the game, as he combined with his teammates and created scoring opportunities for them. In the 45th minute, he provided an assist to Suárez, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside position.
After the break, Messi had another chance to score his third goal of the night, but his shot from a free kick was repelled by the wall. He was also given a scare in the 72nd minute when he received a strong blow on his right ankle, but he was able to continue playing without any further issues.
Messi’s impressive performance was not without its challenges, as he was booked for the first time in his MLS career for delaying the takeover of a corner kick in the 87th minute. However, this did not deter him from leading his team to victory, as Inter Miami finished the game with a 3-1 win.
With this win, Inter Miami has moved 10 points clear of second-placed Cincinnati in the MLS East, with six games remaining in the regular season. Coach Gerardo Martino’s team is now just one step away from celebrating the Supporters’ Shield victory for the best club of the regular season.
Messi’s return to the pitch has injected new life into Inter Miami’s campaign, and his impressive performance has sparked excitement among fans and pundits alike. As the team looks to build on this win and make a strong push for the playoffs, one thing is clear – Lionel Messi is back, and he’s ready to lead Inter Miami to glory.
Key Stats and Takeaways
Lionel Messi scored two goals and provided an assist to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
Messi’s tally now stands at 14 goals in 13 MLS games, making him one of the top scorers in the league.
Inter Miami has won five consecutive games, solidifying their position at the top of the MLS East with 62 points.
Coach Gerardo Martino’s team has a 10-point lead over second-placed Cincinnati with six games remaining in the regular season.
* Messi’s return to the pitch has injected new life into Inter Miami’s campaign, sparking excitement among fans and pundits alike.
Optimized Keywords: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Philadelphia Union, MLS, Soccer, Football, Sports, News, Updates,Goals, Assists, Scores, Results, Match Report, Analysis, Highlights.
How did Lionel Messi perform in his return match with Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union?
Lionel Messi Makes Triumphant Return to Inter Miami with Stellar Performance
After a two-month hiatus, Lionel Messi made a remarkable comeback to the football pitch, leading Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union in the American MLS. The Argentine superstar scored a double and provided an assist to Uruguayan Luis Suárez, securing his team’s fifth consecutive win and solidifying their position at the top of the MLS East with 62 points.
Messi’s Return to Form
It was a dominant display from Messi, who seemed to have picked up right where he left off. His last official match was on June 2, when he scored his 12th goal in 12 games in a 3-3 draw against Saint Louis. He now has 14 goals in just 13 MLS games, an astonishing feat that showcases his exceptional skill and adaptability.
The 25th-minute equalizer marked Messi’s first goal of the night, expertly finishing off a Luis Suárez assist with his right foot. Just three minutes later, he scored his second, capitalizing on a pass from Jordi Alba and celebrating his personal double with a characteristic smile.
A Game-Changer
Messi’s presence on the pitch was palpable, as he effortlessly dictated the flow of the game and created scoring opportunities for his teammates. His ability to combine with Suárez and the rest of the squad was a joy to behold, and his dedication to setting up scoring chances for others showcased his exceptional teamwork and vision.
Despite having a chance to score his third goal of the night, Messi opted to provide the assist that ultimately led to Suárez’s 17th goal of the season, surpassing Argentine Gonzalo Higuaín’s record of 16 goals in a season with Inter Miami.
Chase Stadium was electric, with fans chanting Messi’s name and urging him to score his hat-trick. However, the Argentine was focused on securing the win and providing a spark for his teammates, who have now won five consecutive games.
Coach Gerardo Martino’s Reaction
Inter Miami’s coach, Gerardo Martino, was visibly pleased with his team’s performance, crediting Messi’s return for the boost in morale and confidence. “Lionel’s presence is crucial for us,” Martino said in a post-match interview. “He’s a game-changer, and his ability to create scoring opportunities is unparalleled.”
MLS Domination
With ten points separating Inter Miami from second-placed Cincinnati, the team is now just six games away from clinching the Supporters’ Shield for the best club of the regular season. Messi’s return has undoubtedly injected new life into the team, and his impact on the league is undeniable.
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s triumphant return to Inter Miami has sent a clear message to the rest of the MLS: he’s back, and he’s better than ever. With his exceptional skills, vision, and teamwork, Messi is poised to lead his team to even greater heights in the American top-flight league.
Key Takeaways:
Lionel Messi made a stunning comeback to Inter Miami, scoring a double and providing an assist in a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Messi now has 14 goals in just 13 MLS games, solidifying his position as one of the top players in the league.
Inter Miami has won five consecutive games, with Messi’s return boosting morale and confidence within the team.
Coach Gerardo Martino credits Messi’s presence for the team’s recent success, praising his ability to create scoring opportunities.
Optimized Keywords: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, MLS, Philadelphia Union, Luis Suárez, Gerardo Martino, Gonzalo Higuaín, Supporters’ Shield.
