Messi Goal, Assist Lift Inter Miami 3-1 Over Seattle/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Lionel Messi scored and assisted to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 MLS victory over the Seattle Sounders, avenging their Leagues Cup defeat. Jordi Alba and Ian Fray added contributions as Miami took control early. Seattle’s Obed Vargas netted a consolation goal on Mexico’s Independence Day.
Inter Miami vs. Seattle Quick Looks
- Messi provided one goal and one assist.
- Jordi Alba and Messi combined for two goals.
- Ian Fray scored Miami’s third from a set piece.
- Seattle’s Obed Vargas scored their lone goal.
- Suárez absent, serving MLS suspension for spitting incident.
- New signing Mateo Silvetti made his debut.
- Miami rebounded from Aug. 31 Leagues Cup final loss.
- Next fixtures: Miami vs. D.C. United; Seattle vs. Austin FC.
Deep Look
Messi Leads Miami to Revenge Win Over Seattle
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi once again showed his brilliance Tuesday night, delivering both a goal and an assist as Inter Miami avenged their recent Leagues Cup defeat with a 3-1 MLS victory over the Seattle Sounders.
The Sounders had beaten Miami 3-0 in the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 31, but this time Messi and longtime teammate Jordi Alba orchestrated the payback in front of a lively home crowd.
Early Connection With Alba
Miami seized control just 12 minutes into the match. Messi, with trademark vision, bent an outside-of-the-foot pass across the box to a wide-open Jordi Alba, who calmly slotted home to make it 1-0.
Messi nearly doubled the advantage midway through the first half, latching onto a lofted ball over Seattle’s back line. Using the outside of his left foot again, he aimed for the far post, but the shot clanged off the upright.
Seven minutes before halftime, Alba returned the favor. He threaded a through ball into Messi’s path, and the Argentine maestro poked it past Stefan Frei for his first MLS goal since August, giving Miami a 2-0 cushion.
“I’m always looking for him, and he’s always looking for me,” Alba said postgame. “We’ve created a lot of goals together, and we hope it stays this way until the end of our careers.”
Second-Half Insurance
Miami extended their lead right after the restart. In the 48th minute, Ian Fray met Rodrigo De Paul’s corner with a thumping header that soared into the net for 3-0.
“It was definitely a little extra motivation,” Fray said, reflecting on the rematch. “After losing a game like that, you don’t forget it.”
Seattle’s Response
The Sounders eventually pulled one back. In the 69th minute, midfielder Obed Vargas smashed home a strike to cut the deficit, marking a personal milestone as the Mexican international scored on his nation’s Independence Day.
Seattle continued to press but rarely threatened Miami’s lead. Messi nearly bagged a brace in the 76th minute, only to be denied by Frei in a one-on-one.
Notable Absences and Debuts
Luis Suárez was again unavailable, serving the second game of a three-match suspension for spitting on a Sounders coach during the Leagues Cup final. His absence placed greater responsibility on Messi and Alba, who delivered in style.
Miami also introduced new signing Mateo Silvetti, a 19-year-old midfielder who came through Messi’s boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. Silvetti’s late cameo marked his MLS debut.
Looking Ahead
The victory strengthens Inter Miami’s playoff push in the Eastern Conference, while Seattle missed an opportunity to climb in the West.
Next fixtures:
- Inter Miami host D.C. United on Saturday.
- Seattle Sounders travel to face Austin FC on Sunday.
For Messi and Miami, the night was about redemption, chemistry, and momentum — proof that when the Argentine great is on the pitch, anything remains possible.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.