Inter Miami marvel at Lionel Messi’s heroics: “Tonight’s a dream come true”

Losing in that manner only intensified the frustrations of the Mexico City giants, whose winless start to the Liga MX season has now bled over into Leagues Cup. Cruz Azul outperformed IMCF on balance for much of the match, creating a litany of good scoring chances but failing to convert aside from Mexican international Uriel Antuna’s 65th-minute equalizer.

“How many scoring chances did we have? That’s football, often unfair, but if today a team deserved to win it was mine, definitely, I have no doubt,” said their veteran manager Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti, emphasizing the degree to which his team was wasteful in front of goal, thus opening the door to Messi’s late heroics. “That we weren’t forceful was something else.

“Whether it was [a foul] or was not, the referee marked it and it was Messi’s goal,” he added. “He is a super player, he is outstanding … and at the end of the game, with a specialty of his.”

The victory also ends a lengthy Miami winless skid that dates back to June 7, when they defeated USL Championship side Birmingham Legion to advance to the US Open Cup semifinals.

“It was pure joy, honestly,” said Cremaschi of the atmosphere in the Miami dressing room. “It was pure joy from everyone, from him, from us, to the owners, to the staff. And we’re just so happy that we could win again.”

And with the circumstances of that victory, a new sense of possibility dawns in earnest. The Messi era is here, and who knows where it might soar?

“It’s exciting to be a part of this project. The front office has such high hopes, they want to win right away, they want to be the best in North America,” said Miller.

“This is the place to be in North America. Everybody wants to be here.”