By Victor Kanayo
Lionel Messi’s stunning double helped Inter Miami seal a dramatic victory against FC Dallas to reach the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup on Sunday.
FC Dallas led 4-2 with 10 minutes left but two late goals took the game to a penalty shootout.
Miami won the shootout 5-3 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
“Being 4-2 down in the 80th minute and then coming back, we are very happy with the result,” Miami manager Gerardo Martino said.
“But the fact that we have gone through shouldn’t let us lose sight of the things that we have to improve.”
Miami were winless in 11 before Messi’s arrival but have now won four in a row.
The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward opened the scoring after six minutes, sweeping a curling shot inside the near post from outside the penalty area, but Dallas were 3-1 ahead with just over an hour played.
Midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi reduced the deficit for Miami but a Robert Taylor own goal restored Dallas’ two-goal cushion.
Messi, Argentina captain and 2022 World Cup winner only joined Inter Miami last month after rejecting Saudi Arabia offer to join MLS from PSG.
