WHAT HAPPENED?
After conceding a tough goal just six minutes in that saw Sporting’s Erik Thommy capitalize amid shambolic defending from the Herons, Inter Miami responded well. Messi received the ball outside the box in the 18th minute and played a delicious pass into the box for youngster Diego Gomez, who slotted home to level the match at 1-1.
Then, to begin the second half, he put his team ahead with his 5th goal of the MLS season. David Ruiz found him open in space, and he fired home a stunning effort from outside the box.
WATCH THE CLIPS
Just 18 minutes into the match, Messi played this ridiculous assist to Diego Gomez, starting their comeback.
18’ I Messi asiste a Diego Gómez que no falla frente al arco. Vamos Muchachos!#SKCvMIA 1-1 pic.twitter.com/hMwtiFutet
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 14, 2024
He didn’t stop there, though. In the 51st minute of the match, he scored what can only be described as a GOLAZO for the Herons.
50’ I 💥 Así fue el golazo de Leo Messi para darnos la ventaja tras una gran asistencia de David Ruiz. VAMOS! 👊✨. #SKCvMIA 1-2 pic.twitter.com/MEtaW4j5po
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 14, 2024
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Over 70,000 people were in attendances Saturday evening, with it being the largest attendance ever for a Sporting KC match. Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, saw fans from all over the country travel to get a glimpse of the Argentine in action themselves.
The Argentine put on a show, assisting the opening goal and then scoring the second. It may have been a disappointing result for the home supporters, but it was a spectacle of an evening for fans of the Beautiful Game. A 3-2 win for the Herons, they snapped a five game losing streak across all competitions, and end the weekend atop the Eastern Conference.
WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?
The Herons return to the pitch next Saturday, taking on Eastern Conference side Nashville SC. Messi and co. have already defeated Gary Smith’s side over two legs in the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this season, so there will be high expectations heading into the match.
