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    Lionel Messi nets brace as Inter Miami beats Orlando City

    Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has five goals in three games
    Aug 3, 2023
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    PHOTO: AP

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — Lionel Messi scored in his third straight game and had his second consecutive multi-goal performance for Inter Miami in a 3-1 victory over Orlando City on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time).

    The Leagues Cup Round of 32 match was delayed 95 minutes because of thunderstorms.

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    Messi scored seven minutes into the match then added a second strike in the 72nd minute. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has five goals in three games since his highly-anticipated MLS debut July 21.

    As he eluded the Orlando City backline, Messi stopped a pass from Robert Taylor on his chest, dribbled a couple of yards near the edge of the 6-yard box and converted a shot that landed under the crossbar.

    The goal gave Inter Miami a 1-0 lead before Orlando tied it 11 minutes later.

    Lionel Messi

    Messi struck again when he received a centering pass from Josef Martinez and flicked a right-footed shot inside the left post and put Inter Miami ahead 3-1.

    Inter Miami also had a scare early in the second half when Orlando's Mauricio Pereyra collided with Messi. Messi remained on the ground, favoring his jaw for a couple of minutes.

    Messi received his first yellow card with Inter Miami after he was cited for a hard foul in the 21st minute.

    Messi's former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba made his Inter Miami debut when he entered the match in the 64th minute.

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      The game was scheduled to start at 8 p.m., but didn't begin on time because of the storms.

      Messi and his Inter Miami teammates appeared on the DRV PNK Stadium field for warm-ups 45 minutes before the scheduled start. The heavy rains began approximately 20 minutes later.

      After stadium crew drained water puddles around mid-field, Messi and his teammates re-appeared for a second round of pre-game warm-ups.

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      Messi has not dealt with inclement weather in his first two Leagues Cup matches since joining the MLS club. He scored the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul and added two goals in a victory over Atlanta United.

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      PHOTO: AP
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