Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are through to the semi-finals of the 2023 Leagues Cup, following a resounding last-eight win over Charlotte.
William AllenWAS_AllenUpdate: Aug 12th, 2023 04:12 EDT
Jeremy ReperUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
After thumping Charlotte 4-0 in the 2023 Leagues Cup quarter-finals, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will also face a fellow MLS franchise in the next round.
Messi scores again as Miami move into semis
Messi rounded off the scoring as Miami swept to victory at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday – netting his eighth goal in five games for his new team – and the Florida franchise will now visit Philadelphia Union in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
Before Messi’s 88th-minute strike completed Miami’s rout of Charlotte, Josef Martínez and Robert Taylor gave Gerardo Martino’s side a 2-0 half-time lead in Florida, and Charlotte defender Adil Malanda put through his own net with just under a quarter of an hour remaining.
Since Messi made his debut in the team’s Leagues Cup opener against Cruz Azul last month, Miami have won five games in five – albeit their last-16 victory over Dallas was on penalties.
Another win at home. Next stop, Semis 🤩Check out tonight’s match recap from our @leaguescup win over Charlotte FC: https://t.co/wS4G84wZfL pic.twitter.com/kgMd4ECmhf
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 12, 2023
Donavan winner takes Union into last four
Later on Friday, Philadelphia booked their last-four spot with a 2-1 victory over Liga MX club Querétaro, Christopher Donovan scoring the winner deep into stoppage time at Subaru Park.
Miami have come up against US opposition in every knockout round of the Leagues Cup; indeed, the Union will be the fifth MLS team in a row that the Herons have faced in the tournament.
You'll be able to stream Philadelphia Union vs Inter Miami live on AppleTV.
Monterrey flying flag for Mexico after LAFC turnaround
Elsewhere in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals, Nashville thrashed Minnesota United 5-0, before Monterrey avoided a clean sweep of American semi-finalists by beating MLS Cup holders Los Angeles FC in Pasadena.
