Fort Lauderdale (US), Sep 17 (AP) — In a decisive match-up, Lionel Messi contributed a goal and an assist, leading Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Seattle Sounders. This triumph came a little over two weeks after their loss to the Sounders in the Leagues Cup final.
Having previously fallen 3-0 to Seattle on August 31st, Inter Miami shifted the narrative on Tuesday when Messi delivered a skillful outside-of-the-foot pass to a wide-open Jordi Alba, who converted it into the match's opening goal in the 12th minute.
Messi came close to doubling the lead in the 28th minute; however, his attempt, also with the outside of his left foot, struck the post. Soon enough, Alba reciprocated the earlier assist. In the 41st minute, he set up Messi for a darting run, allowing Messi to secure a 2-0 advantage with a deft touch.
Alba reflected on their synergy, saying, "I'm always looking for him (Messi), he's always looking for me. We've created a lot of goals, and we hope it's like that until the end of our careers."
Just after the halftime break, Ian Fray added to Inter Miami's tally by heading in a corner taken by Rodrigo De Paul, extending the lead to 3-0. "It was definitely a little extra motivation. After losing a game like that, you don't forget it," Fray admitted, acknowledging the added determination in this rematch win.
Seattle managed to pull one back in the 69th minute when Obed Vargas scored for the Sounders on Mexico's independence day.
Inter Miami played without star Luis Suárez, who was serving the second of his three-match MLS suspension for an incident involving a Sounders staff member during the Leagues Cup Final.
Messi had an opportunity to claim a brace in the 76th minute, but was thwarted by Seattle’s goalkeeper, Stefan Frei. Meanwhile, Inter Miami welcomed new signing Mateo Silvetti, a recent acquisition from Messi's first club, Newell's Old Boys in Argentina, as he made his club debut.
Both teams are gearing up for their upcoming MLS engagements: Inter Miami is set to host D.C. United on Saturday, while the Sounders will face off against Austin FC on Sunday.
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