Lionel Messi's Double Delight Propels Inter Miami to Victory in Leagues Cup Classic against Orlando City

The Argentine Superstar Leads Inter Miami to another Triumph with Stunning Performance

In a thrilling encounter, Inter Miami emerged victorious against Orlando City in the 12th edition of the Clásico del Sol in the DRV PNK Stadium of Fort Lauderdale. Lionel Messi's brilliance stole the show as he scored two goals, guiding his team to a resounding 3-1 win in the Round of 16 of the Leagues Cup.

The match experienced a brief delay due to heavy rain, forcing organizers to postpone the kickoff by an hour and 35 minutes. However, once the action began, Messi wasted no time making his mark on the game. Just seven minutes into the match, the Argentine maestro received a fantastic pass and clinically slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.

Orlando City's response came ten minutes later when César Araujo from Uruguay netted an equalizer. The South American flair continued in the second half as Venezuelan striker Josef Martínez converted a controversial penalty to put Inter Miami ahead at 2-1.

With Inter Miami seeking to secure their advantage, Lionel Messi struck again in the 70th minute, this time with a precise right-footed finish after a well-timed pass from Martínez. This marked Messi's fifth goal in just three games since joining the team, and it was the first time he played a full match for Inter Miami.

Since Messi's arrival, Inter Miami has enjoyed a perfect winning streak, including a thrilling 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul and a dominant 4-0 triumph against Atlanta United in which Messi contributed with two goals and an assist.

With the Argentine superstar leading the charge, Inter Miami broke an 11-match winless streak in the MLS and is now aiming to reach the grand final of the Leagues Cup. The team's latest triumph in the derby against Orlando City, which holds a historical advantage with five wins in the Clásico del Sol, adds to their momentum in the tournament.

Inter Miami will next face Dallas FC in the Round of 16, with the team under the leadership of Gerardo Tata Martino eager to continue their successful run in the Leagues Cup. Looking ahead, the possibility of a quarterfinal clash with Pachuca, the Mexican champions, looms on the horizon if both clubs progress.

The knockout stage of the inaugural Leagues Cup, a competition featuring teams from both MLS and Liga MX, is set to be a thrilling spectacle as teams compete in one-off matches. Los Angeles FC, the reigning American champions, along with Pachuca, automatically qualified for the knockout stage without participating in the group phase.