Lionel Messi carried on his incredible goal-scoring run as Inter Miami advanced to the League Cup final with a 4-1 victory against Philadelphia Union on Tuesday.
Argentina superstar scored 8 goals in six games for Miami in an entertaining semi-final at Philadelphia’s Subaru Park.
Messi received the ball just past the halfway mark and dribbled directly towards Philadelphia’s goal and easily went past a few defenders breathing down his neck. Messi then shot a 30-yard strike past three Philadelphia defenders and goalkeeper Andre Blake in the 20th minute, stunning fans who had paid a record amount for tickets.
What can't he do?! 🐐
Make it NINE goals in six games for Leo Messi. pic.twitter.com/HLf3zBFTmV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 15, 2023
Miami also had goals from Jordi Alba and Josef Martinez in the first half, while David Ruiz scored in the second. Miami will take on either Nashville or Mexican club Monterrey in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday.
For Philadelphia, Alejandro Bedoya scored in the second half.
In theory, Tuesday’s semi-final in Philadelphia was meant to be Messi’s most difficult task since joining Miami from Paris Saint-Germain on July 21.
The Union have also been nearly undefeated at home, with only one defeat in their previous 38 games at Subaru Park. When Messi and company chose to show up, none of it mattered.