In a thrilling Leagues Cup opener, Lionel Messi showcased his playmaking prowess with two assists, including a crucial setup in the dying moments, guiding Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Atlas on Wednesday night.
This match marked Messi's return after serving a one-match suspension alongside teammate Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star game. The decisive moment came when he linked up with Marcelo Weigandt, who scored the winning goal in the final minute of stoppage time.
Earlier in the match, Messi assisted Telasco Segovia, who found the net in the 58th minute, giving Miami an initial lead.
Atlas responded with an equalizer from Rivaldo Lozano in the 82nd minute, but the drama continued as Weigandt's late goal in the 96th minute was initially ruled offside before being confirmed by VAR.
With this performance, Messi tallied five assists in July alone, earning him the title of Major League Soccer Player of the Month after scoring eight goals and contributing to Miami's impressive 4-1-1 record in league play.
The first half was marked by physical play from both teams, yet neither could capitalize on their opportunities. Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo made three critical saves, including a remarkable stop against Eduardo Aguirre's header aimed at the back post. Luis Suárez nearly scored just before halftime, hitting the crossbar with a powerful shot.
Additionally, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul made his debut for Inter Miami. De Paul, a close associate of Messi from their national team days, officially joined the club last week.
