Messi double as Miami bounce back against Red Bulls
But the Argentinian superstar was back to his inspired best as Miami turned on the style at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey to record an emphatic victory.
The Red Bulls had threatened to deliver another upset after Alexander Hack bundled home a 14th-minute opener to fire the hosts into an early lead.
But Messi swiftly orchestrated Inter Miami's recovery from that setback, providing a sublime pass to set up former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba's equaliser in the 24th minute.
Messi then combined with Alba for Miami's second goal, producing another brilliant pass to pick out the Spaniard, who crossed for Telasco Segovia to prod home on 27 minutes.
Segovia then swept in his second of the night deep into first-half stoppage time to leave Miami firmly in control.
Messi then took over in the second half as Miami cut loose.
A majestic through ball by another former Barcelona team-mate, Sergio Busquets, sent the Argentine World Cup-winner racing through on goal in the 60th minute.
Messi took his time and coolly feinted to wrongfoot Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel before tucking away the finish for 4-1.
Another Barcelona old boys combination delivered Messi's second. Luis Suarez crossed from the left and Messi controlled on the edge of the six-yard box to send a thumping finish past Coronel.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
England's Lionesses head home to party after Euro glory
Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick in Basel after Sunday's Women's Euro 2025 final ended 1-1, repeating her heroics from three years previously. It was sweet revenge for Sarina Wiegman's defending champions, who suffered bitter defeat against the same opponents in the World Cup final two years ago. Fans are preparing to welcome home the victors, who will be whisked straight to 10 Downing Street, the working home of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. An open-top bus parade will follow on Tuesday, culminating in a celebration in front of Buckingham Palace. King Charles III said the team had the royal family's "warmest appreciation and admiration" following their victory, adding: "The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can." Starmer hailed the triumph, saying: "The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation. "Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country." The Downing Street reception will hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Red-and-white St George's flags were hanging around the famous black door ahead of the team's arrival later on Monday from a rainy Zurich. Captain Leah Williamson showed off the trophy to a knot of fans who had gathered as the team made their way to the airport. Late drama Victory in Switzerland on Sunday capped a remarkable tournament packed with of late drama for England. Wiegman's team were slow out of the blocks, losing their first match against France, before comfortable wins over the Netherlands and Wales in the group phase. They came back from 2-0 down against Sweden in the quarter-finals before winning on penalties, and sealed their spot in Sunday's final with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy. The defending champions again fell behind against Spain on Sunday but Alessia Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's first-half opener and neither side could find a winner by the end of extra time. Two penalty saves by player-of-the-match Hannah Hampton and Salma Paralluelo's miss set the stage for Kelly, who also scored the winner against Germany in the 2022 final, as England won the shootout 3-1. The Lionesses led for fewer than five minutes across the entire Euros knockout stage. "I must admit that this is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played," said Wiegman. "The players say we can win by any means, and we just never, ever give up." The Dutch coach, who has now won three European Championship crowns in a row, having led the Netherlands to victory in 2017, said she hoped England's win would boost women's football across the globe. "How I've experienced this tournament is that the level went up again, the intensity of the games went through the roof," she said. "That's what we've seen. "We've seen it in the games, but also in the data we have. I think this tournament broke every record again and that's great, and I hope that that will boost the women's game everywhere.
France 24
7 hours ago
- France 24
China's Pan puzzled after shock 200m free exit at swimming worlds
Pan, the 100m freestyle Olympic champion and world record holder, finished only 22nd fastest in 1min 47.46sec to miss out on the top 16 who qualify for the semi-finals. "I felt OK yesterday but today's swim felt completely different," said Pan, whose time was way outside his 200m best of 1:44.65. "I'll have to keep working hard and make adjustments, I'm not sure what happened and I'm not happy with this time." Romania's David Popovici, the 200m Olympic champion, cruised through fastest in 1:45.43 ahead of American Luke Hobson (1:45.61) and Britain's Matthew Richards (1:45.66). Pan said it would not knock his confidence for the 100m. "The 200m and 100m are two different events," he said. American legend Katie Ledecky breezed through fastest in the 1500m freestyle, an event where she holds the best 23 times in history. A day after taking bronze behind Canada's Summer McIntosh in the 400m freestyle, Ledecky touched in 15:36.68, more than 10 seconds quicker than Australia's Lani Pallister and Italy's Simona Quadarella who were second and third. Australian backstroke great Kaylee McKeown eased through the 100m heats third fastest in 58.27sec. She said she was determined to enjoy herself after getting "way too caught up" in the occasion at last year's Paris Games. The four-time world champion McKeown swept the women's backstroke events at the last two Olympics and, now 24, vowed to do things on her own terms. "I'm the happiest I've ever been and coming into this championships I just want to enjoy myself," she said. "I got way too caught up in Paris with the pressure and the nerves, and sort of let that overtake the enjoyment that comes with swimming. "This year I'm just taking a step back and doing what I want to do for once and not doing what everyone else wants me to do." Regan Smith was the fastest qualifier in 58.20 to be quickest, followed by American team-mate Katharine Berkoff in 58.55. McKeown said she was mindful of her physical condition after injuring a shoulder before a recent training camp as she looks towards competing at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. "I have a few little injuries as well so I've just got to really manage myself so I can make it to LA," she said. France's Yohann Ndoye-Brouard was fastest in the men's 100m backstroke in 52.30, followed by Russian Kliment Kolesnikov (52.27) and Hungary's Hubert Kos (52.60). Ireland's Mona McSharry topped the timesheets in the women's 100m breaststroke in 1:05.99, just 0.02 ahead of Germany's Anna Elendt with Japan's Satomi Suzuki a further 0.12 back.
France 24
10 hours ago
- France 24
De Minaur battles to DC Open crown
Seventh seed De Minaur looked to be heading for defeat against his 12th-seeded Spanish opponent after trailing 5-2 in the deciding set in Washington. But Davidovich Fokina -- chasing the first ATP title of his career after losing in three previous final appearances -- failed to capitalise on his hefty lead. The Spaniard appeared to tighten when serving for the match at 5-3 up to allow De Minaur to claw it back to 5-4. But Davidovich Fokina responded to that missed opportunity by then earning three match points on De Minaur's serve in the next game. Yet once again, the Spaniard was unable to take advantage and De Minaur survived to hold serve and level the match at 5-5. The next two games went on serve to set up the tie break and De Minaur was quickly in control, sealing victory on the first of three match points with an ace, to settle a 3hr 2mins slugfest. De Minaur said he had never doubted his ability to turn around the final. "I just kind of knew I could do it," De Minaur said in his on-court interview. "I just backed myself to commit no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms. "I've had a couple of brutal ones not go go my way, so I'm glad this one went my way," the 26-year-old from New South Wales said. The win was another agonizing setback for Davidovich Fokina, who had already reached -- and lost -- two other finals this season. The defeat echoed his loss in the final at Delray Beach in February, when he was unable to convert two match points before losing to Miomir Kecmanovic.
