Inter Miami defeated Nashville on penalties (10-9) after their match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes thanks to a screamer goal from Lionel Messi, who also won his first trophy in North American soccer.
The World Cup winner from Argentina gave Miami the lead in the 24th minute with a spectacular shot into the top corner, but Nashville’s Fafa Picault equalized in the second half.
Messi struck the post, and Miami’s Leonardo Campana missed a last-second opportunity to win the game in regulation. The game then went to a shoot-out, which culminated in a duel between the two goalkeepers and Miami’s Drake Callender saving Elliot Panicco’s shot.
The American goalie, who had made some crucial saves late in the game to keep his team in the game, was hurried to join in the celebration by Messi and his teammates.
Messi, together with fellow Spaniards Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, completely altered Miami, who were at the bottom of Major League Soccer when he joined them a month ago. Miami went on a seven-game unbeaten streak to win the League Cup.
The club’s founder and co-owner David Beckham expressed his surprise at how swiftly the former Barcelona trio had been able to bring about change.
“It is like a movie, you watch these players play and it is, emotionally, everything about their play is beautiful,” he said.
Seven-times Ballon d’Or winner Messi has now scored 10 goals in seven games in the pink shirt of his new club and on Wednesday has the chance to reach another final when his team take on Cincinnati in the semi-final of the US Open Cup.
This was not the dominant, entertaining Miami that in the past month has lit up the tournament, featuring MLS and Mexican Liga MX clubs, but the win was sweet nonetheless.
“I am very happy to win our first title in just one month, the club’s first. The team is growing by leaps and bounds and we are very happy,” said midfielder Busquets.