Inter Miami have beaten Orlando City 3-1 in the Leagues Cup Round of 32. Lionel Messi scored twice, Josef Martinez added a penalty and Jordi Alba debuted for Miami.
Michael Dominski
(Photo: Getty Images)
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Messi's penalty record
53' Inter Miami 2-1 Orlando City
For those wondering about Messi and his not taking the penalty, his record is not that great. He has missed 31 of his 140 penalties according to Transfermarkt, so 22%.
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GOAL! Miami back in front!
51' Inter Miami 2-1 Orlando City
Martinez — not Messi — takes a stutter step and sends Gallese the wrong way and Miami are back in front!
That was Martinez's ninth career goal against Orlando.
Penalty for Miami!
48' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Cremaschi slips a pass into the Orlando box for Martinez, who goes down under contact from Carlos.
The referee points to the spot!
Replays show the call was a bit soft...but VAR has nevertheless confirmed it.
Carlos is booked.
Second half is underway!
46' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Orlando get the ball rolling and we're back in action in south Florida!
No changes for either side.
Looking ahead to the next round
Mazatlan FC and FC Dallas are tied 1-1 in the second half.
Alan Velasco's 48th-minute penalty for Dallas was cancelled out by Andres Montano's equaliser for Mazatlanin the 57th minute.
The winner of that match will face the winner of Inter Miami vs Orlando City in the Round of 16.
Will we see Jordi Alba?
(Photo: Getty Images)
Inter Miami's newest signing was introduced prior to the delayed kick-off.
At his press conference earlier this week, he sounded ready to play today if called upon.
Will we see him make his debut?
It's worth remembering that Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets were introduced much earlier in the second half of their first match than many expected.
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Gallese familiar with Messi
Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has seen a couple of those Messi free kicks before, playing with Peru.
It was a nice save from the same spot where Messi took his instantly-iconic first MLS goal.
Derby-ish!
MLS-heads would have expected Orlando to play the way they’re playing so far: getting chippy, physical, and trying to frustrate Messi and Busquets and force the referee to make decisions.
It's been reasonably effective so far, but it remains to be seen if making Messi mad is really the best option.
Either way, it’s making for a fun, intense derby-ish game!
HT: Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
The whistle blows for half-time, and we head into the break all tied up!
Conversations between opposing players continue as they leave the pitch. This is clearly the most intense match Messi has faced in his young MLS career thus far.
Tempers rising
45+2' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Messi gets away with a clear foul. Moments later, Smith is booked for Orlando, receiving shoves from multiple Miami players for his trouble.
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Bold strategy
45+1' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Messi has a free kick saved. Maybe let Yedlin take the next one...
Stoppage time
45+1' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Two minutes are added on to the end of the first half.
Messi comes close!
45' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Messi's free kick looked to be heading for the top corner for a moment, but it curled centrally enough for Gallese to tip it over the crossbar.
It's Messi time
44' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Martinez wins a free kick in a dangerous shooting position, right in front of Orlando's box.
The Orlando players intensely protest the decision. They know the danger Messi poses here.
Taylor comes close
41' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Taylor receives the ball on the edge of Orlando's box, turns and quickly fires a shot that whizzes just by the far post.
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Miami putting on a show
38' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Busquets finds Messi with a backheeled pass, who plays a one-two with Martinez in tight space before finding Yedlin out on the right wing.
The move eventually breaks down but the crowd loved it.
Orlando playing more conservatively
(Photo: Getty Images)
36' Inter Miami 1-1 Orlando City
Orlando came out in an aggressive 4-2-3-1 press early on, but since the equalising goal they’ve dropped into a deep 5-2-3 block to defend for their lives.
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