Lionel Messi grabbed two goals and an assist in his first start for Inter Miami as they secured a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in the group stage of the Leagues Cup on Tuesday night.
Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets were both in Miami’s starting lineup, with the two pairing up to open the scoring. Busquets provided a lofted pass over the Atlanta defense to Messi, and while the number 10 hit the post with his first shot, he was able to collect the rebound, putting it in the back of the net.
22 minutes into the game, Miami hit Atlanta on the counterattack, with Messi getting on the end of a Robert Taylor pass to double both his and Inter Miami’s tally.
Taylor then went on to score before the halftime break before scoring in the 78th with an assist from Messi to complete a brace of his own.
“It was a good performance and I’m pleased we were able to make our fans happy. A very good game and we took another step in the right direction,” Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino said after the game.
This victory sees Miami top their group and book their spot in the round of 32.
