Lionel Messi scored and provided a brilliant assist to finally give Inter Miami their first win in their new home on Sunday, defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0.
The 38-year-old Argentine icon haunted the Timbers’ backline all night long in a timely reminder of the threat he still poses at the World Cup, which kicks off in less than a month’s time.
Messi put the defending Major League Soccer champions ahead in the half-hour, scoring the first and last goal in a slick team move.
Messi sent the ball over to Luis Suárez, who then put a pass through to Telasco Segovia. Segovia’s instinctive backheel released Messi, who drove from close range into the far corner.
After ten minutes, fellow Argentinian Rodrigo De Paul surged down the right flank to find Messi, who played a one-two with Suárez.
Then the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner dribbled into the box through four defenders before using the outside of his left foot to set up German Berterame for a tap-in.
The second half was slower and goalless as Messi missed chances to add to his tally, curling a left-foot strike from outside the box just inches wide of the post.
He almost added a sensational free kick deep into stoppage time, but James Pantemis made a superb save, diving full length to tip the ball away from the top corner.
It was the fifth home game at the shiny, purpose-built Nu Stadium that opened to great fanfare last month.
Until now, the 27,000-capacity arena had seen three frustrating draws and a humiliating Miami collapse from 3-0 up to lose 4-3 to Orlando City.
But despite recent struggles at home, the win puts Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Nashville SC, who have two games in hand.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Cristiano Ronaldo, next to Messi, who lifted the trophy with Argentina at the last edition in Qatar, is poised to become the first player to appear in six different World Cups.
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