Argentine football legend, Lionel Messi, showcased his brilliance once again as he fired a remarkable shot from beyond the 30-yard mark, leaving three Philadelphia defenders stunned. This sensational moment unfolded in the 20th minute of a gripping match held on Tuesday evening, propelling Inter Miami to their inaugural major final in the history of the club.
In a match that commenced with high intensity, Inter Miami quickly gained the upper hand just three minutes into the game. The visiting team saw Josef Martinez find the back of the net, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to establish an ideal start. Notably, Messi was not directly involved in this initial goal; however, he made a resounding entrance at Subaru Park by executing an astonishing strike from 36 yards out. This exceptional feat doubled Inter Miami's lead within the first 20 minutes. This goal marked the ninth time Messi had found the net in six matches since joining his new team.
LIONEL MESSI WHAT A GOAL 🤯
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) August 15, 2023
The first half witnessed another pivotal moment for Inter Miami, as Jordi Alba capitalized on an opportunity to make his mark on the scoreboard. Alba surged forward, his efforts culminating in a skillful lofted shot past Andre Blake. The pass leading to Alba's goal was orchestrated by Robert Taylor. The second half of the match sustained its frenetic pace, with Philadelphia experiencing several missed opportunities to score. Eventually, Alejandro Bedoya managed to pull one back for Philadelphia on the 73rd minute, executing a clever finish following a corner kick.
Just as hope seemed to flicker for a potential late rally, substitute David Ruiz dealt a decisive blow by securing his second career goal for Inter Miami. This effectively dashed any aspirations of a late comeback from Philadelphia Union.
Over the course of the past four seasons, Philadelphia Union has consistently ranked among the top contenders in the MLS. Despite their impressive track record, including winning the Supporters Shield in 2020 and clinching their division title last season, the MLS Cup has eluded them during this period of dominance.
In a testament to Messi's impact, teams facing Miami have struggled to contain his influence. This pattern held true for Philadelphia Union and every other opponent that encountered Inter Miami with Messi in their ranks.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami is set to square off against Nashville in the League's final showdown on Sunday, August 20. Nashville earned their spot in this anticipated event by securing a convincing 2-0 victory over Monterrey.