Game recap: Inter Miami and Lionel Messi eliminate Charlotte 4-0 in Leagues Cup
FORT LAUDERDALE — How many more ways can there be to create Messi magic?
Fans walking into DRV PNK Stadium asked themselves that Friday night as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami faced Charlotte FC in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico's Liga MX. Inter Miami won 4-0 to advance to the Leagues Cup semifinals.
Inter Miami was 10 minutes away from elimination in the round of 16 at Dallas, trailing 4-2, when Messi sparked a comeback to win 5-3 on penalty kicks. After receiving a lifeline on a Dallas own goal to make it 4-3, Messi forced the shootout by scoring on a free kick in the 85th minute. The shot drew comparisons to his stunning, last-second free-kick winner in his Inter Miami debut, against Cruz Azul. Messi also scored Inter Miami's opening goal against Dallas and had an assist.
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In four appearances, Messi was tied for the tournament lead with seven goals. All but two of his 13 shots were on target.
Entering the match, Inter Miami's revamped attack, led by Messi, Sergio Busquets and Robert Taylor, accounted for 13 goals in the tournament, one off the competition lead. It presented a major test for Charlotte, which had given up an MLS-worst 40 goals in regular-season competition.
Charlotte has six league wins, one more than Miami. But Messi, Busquets and Jordi Alba have yet to make their MLS regular-season debuts.
Keep scrolling to see the latest updates from the match.
10:30 p.m. | Lionel Messi scores to complete 4-0 rout by Inter Miami
Leo Campana danced around the keeper in the 87th minute in an almost-comical fashion, then crossed to Lionel Messi, who casually hammered it home for a 4-0 lead -- which proved to be the final score.
Messi has eight goals in five matches since arriving.
10:20 p.m. | Inter Miami coasting with 3-0 lead
Adilson Malanda, trying to cut off a cross to Lionel Messi, knocks it into his own net, giving Inter Miami a 3-0 lead.
9:30 p.m. | Halftime: Inter Miami up 2-0 over Charlotte
The Herons take a 2-0 lead into the halftime team talk on goals by Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor.
Inter Miami has a huge advantage in possession, 65 percent to 35.
Inter Miami also leads 3-2 in shots, including 3-0 in shots on goal.
Charlotte coach Christian Lattanzio raised some eyebrows with a brief interview with Apple TV, saying at halftime that his team needed "to be patient."
Safe to say that Inter Miami would welcome Charlotte -- down by two goals -- taking its sweet time in the second half.
9:15 p.m. | Robert Taylor doubles Inter Miami's lead
A long pass from Sergio Busquets to DeAndre Yedlin, overlapping down the right wing, set up Inter Miami's second goal.
Yedlin sent a low cross toward the penalty spot as Robert Taylor made his run. Taylor easily first-timed it into the lower left side of the net in the 32nd minute.
Taylor has come alive since Messi's arrival. The goal was his fourth of the Leagues Cup.
Two minutes earlier, Messi took a close-range shot that was saved by Kristiian Kahlina.
9 p.m. | Inter Miami jumps to early 1-0 lead
Josef Martinez converts penalty kick in the 12th minute after Dixon Arroyo is fouled by Harrison Afful in the area.
Martinez beats the keeper with a low shot just inside the left post.
Inter Miami actually had two claims for a penalty on the play. Seconds earlier, a pass by Ben Cremaschi appeared to be handled. Cremaschi argued vehemently for a call but the referee was letting the possession play out.
8:30 p.m. | Time for kickoff
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are seeking a berth in the Leagues Cup semifinals tonight on Apple TV.
Inter Miami would play at the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday night if those teams advance.
Local fans will get another chance to see Messi at DRV PNK Stadium on Tuesday night if Philadelphia loses to Queretaro of Mexico. The Philly match was delayed because of issues with power.
Outside of the heat and humidity, the weather appears to be perfect. Messi has seen his share of stormy days in Fort Lauderdale since his arrival, most notably with the deluge during his unveiling.
It looks like another strong crowd, possibly a sellout.
6:30 p.m. | Messi's MLS regular-season debut pushed back
MLS fans will have to wait a little longer for Lionel Messi’s first regular-season match with Inter Miami CF.
Miami’s Aug. 20 match against Charlotte FC would have been Messi’s first in MLS play, but it was postponed to an unspecified date after both clubs advanced to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. ― Associated Press
When does Inter Miami play Charlotte FC?
8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11
Where is the Inter Miami game?
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale
Where can I watch Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC on streaming?
Apple TV+ (7-day free trial)
What channel is Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC on?
Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC is not available on network or cable TV packages. It can only be seen via streaming.
Where can I listen to Inter Miami on radio?
Radio: 790 The Ticket (English), WQBA 1140 AM (Spanish)
Online radio: Inter Miami app, Audacy (English), Uforia (Spanish)
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Inter Miami vs. Charlotte FC game recap: Messi leads way in 4-0 win
