Matchday

Lionel Messi & Inter Miami are Leagues Cup champions!

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Lionel Messi's golazo andDrake Callender's shootout heroics have deliveredInter Miami CF's first-ever trophy, beatingNashville SC 10-9 in penalty kicks during Saturday night's pulsatingLeagues Cup 2023 Final – all after the sides battled to a1-1 draw at GEODIS Park.

The 11-round shootout was clinched by Callender's two saves from the spot, first on Nashville midfielderRandall Leal and thenElliot Panicco, his goalkeeping counterpart. Messi started the scoring in PKs, only adding to his world-record 44th trophy for club and country as the Herons continue their turnaround from MLS's last-place side to one raising silverware.

The regulation-time goals were scored on either side of halftime, starting with Messi (23') bending home a picture-perfect strike into the top corner after powering through aWalker Zimmerman challenge for his Golden Boot-clinching 10th goal. Yet Nashville's persistence paid off via wingerFafà Picault (57'), whose corner-kick header deflected in to reinforce his side's strength on set pieces.

As these 2020 MLS expansion siblings chased a late winner, Miami hit two posts in the second half. Messi was the architect of the first, beating Panicco but not the woodwork in the 71st minute. Then in the 93rd minute, after aSergio Busquets long ball, strikerLeonardo Campana had the trophy on his boot – only for the goalframe to deny his wraparound sliding attempt after his chip rounded Panicco.

Nashville poured on the pressure themselves, especially through the nascentHany Mukhtar-Sam Surridge partnership. Both Designated Players forced Callender into big-time stops, but couldn't settle the game in regulation time. Come the epic PK shootout, the Herons emerged on top.

Goals

  • 23' - MIA - Lionel Messi |WATCH
  • 57' - NSH - Fafà Picault |WATCH

Three Things

  • THE BIG PICTURE: Leagues Cup started with Messi'sdebut free-kick goal against Cruz Azul, and it ended with the Argentine superstar raising a trophy. It's been a poetic, storybook month for Miami as they ascend into contender status – already knowing they have 2024Concacaf Champions Cup soccer ahead (Round of 16 bye). Nashville can keep their heads high, but this night was all about Messi & Co. making history.

Trophy king. 🏆

The 2023@LeaguesCup title is the 44th trophy of Lionel Messi’s career, a new all-time record.pic.twitter.com/PH3fjy6qBU

— Major League Soccer (@MLS)August 20, 2023
  • MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Messi. Left foot. Golazo. We've all seen this story before. And it never gets old.
  • MAN OF THE MATCH: Callender made five saves in regulation time, then provided two stops in PKs. He is the unsung hero of this trophy run (and scored a PK of his own).

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Jonathan Sigal -
@JonathanSigal