Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez contributed to all three goals, helping Inter Miami defeat Sporting KC with a score of 3-2 in round 9 of MLS on the morning of April 14 (Hanoi time).
Messi scores a masterpiece, Inter Miami escapes crisis On the morning of April 14 (Hanoi time), Lionel Messi shined with 1 goal and 1 assist to help Inter Miami defeat Sporting KC with a score of 3-2 in round 9 of MLS, thereby ending a streak of 5 matches of draws and losses.
Messi was the inspiration for the away team’s victory in this match. In the 18th minute, Messi passed the ball like a set piece for Diego Gomez to run down and shoot past goalkeeper Tim Melia, equalizing 1-1 for Inter Miami.
Right at the start of the second half, Leo once again spoke up. Receiving the ball from a teammate in an open position in front of the penalty area and unmarked, the former Barcelona star unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot from distance.
While Messi had 1 goal and 1 assist, Suarez also managed to leave his mark in this match. In the 71st minute, from a mistake by the home team’s defense, Gomez stole the ball and crossed for the Uruguayan striker to tap the ball into the empty net.
Since the beginning of the season, Messi has scored 6 goals and had 3 assists after 7 matches in all competitions. Suarez has made an even stronger impression with 7 goals and 5 assists in 11 appearances for Inter Miami. Currently, Suarez leads the MLS scoring list for the 2024 season with 6 goals, while Messi is close behind with 5 goals.
Thus, Messi and Suarez have contributed to 21 of the total 26 goals of MLS in all competitions since the beginning of the season, a rate of more than 80%. That proves the great influence of the former Barcelona star couple.
Back to the match, except for Suarez’s easy goal, all four remaining goals were very beautiful. Erik Thommy was the owner of the double for Sporting KC. In the opening goal, he fired a cross-angle shot that was difficult to catch. In the 2-2 equalizer, Thommy made a one-touch volley that hit the post and rolled into the net.
Inter Miami had fewer shots (8 compared to 10 of their opponents), but 5 of them were on target, with Sporting KC scoring 2 goals out of 3 shots on goal.
David Beckham ‘s side created more good chances with an expected goals (xG) of 1.03. Meanwhile, Sporting KC’s full-time xG was 0.59.
Sporting KC made a mistake by not assigning someone to mark Messi. The 2022 World Cup champion comfortably operated in the No. 10 position in front of the penalty area. With his class, “El Pulga” had a brilliant match day.
Inter Miami won 3-2, ending a five-match losing streak. On April 10, they were eliminated in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals after losing 2-5 to Monterrey over two matches.
Inter Miami currently sits atop the MLS Eastern Conference standings after nine games. They have the same 15 points as the New York Red Bulls, but are ahead on goal difference.
