A historic moment was experienced at the DRV PNK Stadium in front of more than 20,000 fans when Messi, considered by many to be the best player in history, entered the pitch at minute 54 for Benjamin Cremaschi.
To welcome Messi for the second time, after his presentation last Sunday, the Inter Miami stadium was attended by Becky G to sing the United States national anthem, as well as various celebrities such as David Beckham, LeBron James, Sergio ‘Kun’ Agüero, Kim Kardashian, Serena Williams and more.
Ricardo ‘Tuca’ Ferretti’s La Máquina was much better than Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s Garzas at the start of the game, but missed clear scoring chances like one from Díber Cambindo who sent his shot over Drake Callender’s crossbar with an open frame.
It came true! Lionel Messi makes his debut as an Inter Miami player
A missed goal is a goal against and the MLS team made it count when at minute 44 Robert Taylor, who had just entered the field due to Ian Fray’s injury, put together a play on the left side of the field to cut his marker and take a right hand that hit Andrés Gudiño’s far post and embedded itself in the light blue nets.
Inter Miami left many open spaces and it was difficult for them to have the ball, Cruz Azul easily stepped into the area, so ‘Tata’ Martino did not think twice and early in the second half, at minute 54, sent three changes: Messi, Sergio Busquets and Josef Martínez.
The entry of the international figures immediately revolutionized the game of Inter Miami, which was able to make the second with filtered passes from Messi, one to Martínez that Gudiño took off to have an open frame, but in the shot he failed to connect the ball well.
Messi was cheered upon entering and every time he took the ball, in addition to keeping the fans present at the DRV PNK Stadium on their feet, who at times fell silent due to La Máquina’s equalizer at 65′ thanks to Uriel Antuna’s goal after receiving a ball in the area from Jesús Dueñas and turning around to hit a powerful right cross.
It was your first goal Messi! Gudiño sweeps and takes the ball from him
At 85′, Leo received the ball in the area, but Rafael Guerrero reacted in time and, before the Argentine’s shot, crossed to send a corner kick
Two minutes later, Busquets filtered the ball for Messi who received it only to enter the area, cut Carlos Salcedo and assist Josef who pierced the net, but the play was annulled for offside.
When it seemed that the game was going to go to penalties (for an extra point) and people were leaving the stadium, Messi responded and at minute 90+5′ he scored a great goal from a free kick into the corner that went past Cruz Azul’s barrier and beat Gudiño. Leo had generated his own free kick when he was knocked down by Salcedo and Kevin Castaño on the edge of the area.
Messi, Busquets and Inter Miami will look for a ticket to the Round of 16 of the Leagues Cup when next Tuesday, July 25, they face Atlanta United, former team of ‘Tata’ Martino, at the DRV PNK Stadium.
While ‘Tuca’ Ferretti’s Cruz Azul will have their revenge against Atlanta United until Saturday, July 29 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Not Messi! The Inter Miami captain was knocked down but there was no more
2023-07-22 01:31:00
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