Lionel Messi Scores 9th Goal In Six Games Advances To Leagues Cup Final

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has led Inter Miami to new heights in just one month of play.

Miami advanced to the CONCACAF Leagues Cup final with a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia Union on Tuesday, giving the team a chance to win its first trophy in four seasons of participation.

Messi has scored in each of his first six matches since joining Inter, and his goal against Philadelphia was his ninth in just six games. He currently leads the Leagues Cup scoring list.

Messi is only 20 goals behind fellow countryman Gonzalo Higuain at the top of Inter Miami’s all-time scoring chart after a short time there.

Messi scored in the 20th minute with a low rocket from more than 30 yards out after Josef Martinez gave Miami the lead. His strike evaded Union custodian Andre Blake’s outstretched fingers and deflected off the right post to find the back of the net.

Before Alejandro Bedoya restored parity for Philadelphia with 17 minutes remaining, veteran Spanish striker Jordi Alba added a third Miami goal in first-half stoppage time, his first goal in four appearances since recently joining Inter.

After 84 minutes, Miami’s David Ruiz scored Miami’s fourth goal to put an end to any hopes of a late Union comeback.

Nashville SC defeated Monterrey 2-0 in the other Leagues Cup semifinal on Tuesday to advance to the championship against Miami.

When the two teams compete on August 19 in Nashville, Tennessee, the trophy will be decided.

This year, the Leagues Cup, an annual competition between MLS and Liga MX in Mexico, was opened to all teams in each league.