For a moment, the Toyota Stadium dressed as the Santiago Bernabéu and the pink kits of Inter Miami were stained with blaugrana. Those from Florida visited Dallas for the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup and the first goal, the work of Leo Messi, recalled, almost without distinction, the play that the Argentine repeated so many times with Jordi Alba at Barça, as the which they executed in the April 2017 classic to seal the victory at the last minute.
The play, capricious even in its conception, was born at the feet of Sergio Busquets. The ball reached the left wing and Jordi Alba, as if two years had not passed since his last season with Messi, searched for it from memory behind. The Argentine appeared alone and finished off with his left foot at the goalkeeper's near post, whose shot was also reminiscent of Keylor Navas's in the clásico. Both, powerless before the magic of '10'.
The 7th minute was running when the goal was traced. More than six years later, 8,000 kilometers away and with a different jersey. Inter Miami took the lead in a game that was a festival of goals. Despite the 0-1 loss, FC Dallas came from behind with three goals that seemed to put Florida's side out of the Leagues Cup. But, of course, miracles happen when Messi is on the pitch.
A new connection between the Argentine and Alba resulted in the 3-2 score by Messi's compatriot, Benjamin Cremaschi. And although an own goal returned the advantage of two to the locals, Messi signed a free kick that ended in another own goal for 4-3. The comeback came with a free kick, in the 85th minute, a new work of art from the angle. 4-4 and on penalties, in a shootout where Messi and Busquets scored so that Inter Miami took the pass to the next round.
The dream of the pink team is still alive. Now they are in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, awaiting the winner between Houston Dynamo and Charlotte, which will be played at dawn on Tuesday Spanish time. Three more matches to complete the feat. 270 minutes that separate Messi from giving his new team the first title, with only seven games played.
Messi has already added 7 goals in 4 games and is positioned as the leading scorer in a tournament in which his team is seeking not only the title, but also a ticket for the Concacaf Champions Cup, which will be given to the champion, the runner-up and third place. Inter Miami's next game will be at home this coming Friday (Saturday in Spain).
