Two decisive actions by Argentine world champion Lionel Messi allowed Inter Miami to win their first match of the MLS (Major Soccer League) season at home against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday (2-0).
Messi, who played the entire match, silenced concerns about his fitness with an excellent performance for Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side. “He looked free, fit and showed great speed,” commented the coach after the match.
Facing a cautious Salt Lake City team, Messi almost opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a free kick from 30 meters, deflected with a header by Justen Glad. But Miami took the lead when Spaniard Sergio Busquets found Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner deftly slipped the ball past Finnish striker Robert Taylor, whose low strike beat RSL goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
The goal forced the visitors to shake things up after the break, and their more aggressive approach caused Inter some problems.
Feeling that his team needed one or two more goals, Messi increased his work rate and began to take control of the match. Going deep to recover the ball, he launched several dazzling attacks. The 36-year-old slipped inside the left channel to find space and send a cross to the far post to Julian Gressel, but the German did not target his attempt from a very tight angle.
Messi then went deep again and found Suarez – his former teammate at FC Barcelona – who served Diego Gomez. The Paraguayan midfielder placed his low shot into the opposite corner to make it 2-0.
The same trio narrowly missed coming together for a third goal, Messi slipping to Gomez who served Suarez, but the Uruguayan’s shot was saved by MacMath’s outstretched leg.
For its next match, Inter Miami travels to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.