Messi scored twice as Inter Miami fought back from 2-0 down to beat Orlando City 4-2 in Major League Soccer’s Florida Derby on Sunday.
Defending Major League Soccer (MLS) champion Miami looked set for another defeat after being beaten in last week’s season opener by a dominant Orlando side that led 2-0 in the first half in front of their home fans.
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Croatian international winger Marko Pasalic opened the scoring after 18 minutes, scoring low from Ivan Angulo’s cross after Miami gave up possession in midfield.
Six minutes later, right back Griffin Dorsey’s dash into the path of Argentinian forward Martin Ojeda ended the ball and Orlando made it 2-0.
Miami fought back, with Messi and Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul nearly pulling a goal back midway through the first half.
In the 28th minute, DePaul’s long shot was blocked by Orlando’s Canadian international Maxime Crepo. Soon after, Crepo made another brilliant save to keep Messi out of the box.
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However, the game turned after halftime when substitute Matteo Silvetti gave Miami a lifeline with a 25-yard screamer in the 49th minute.
Eight minutes later, Messi got the ball on the edge of the penalty area and shot past Crepo with his left foot to make the score 2-2.
The Argentinian maestro was instrumental in giving Miami a 3-2 lead in the 85th minute, delivering a deft pass to Trasco Segovia for a corner kick.
Messi then added to the counterattack in the 90th minute when his low, long-range free-kick snuck past Crepo to make it 4-2.
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