Messi notches 2 assists as Inter Miami beats LAFC to extend unbeaten run

Inter Miami downed LAFC 3-1 on Sunday at BMO Stadium to remain unbeaten since star Lionel Messi debuted with the MLS side on July 21. Here’s what you need to know:

• Facundo Farías opened up scoring at the 14-minute mark with a shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner.
• Jordi Alba padded Inter Miami’s lead, 2-0, with a goal in the 51st minute.
• Leonardo Campana capped off Inter Miami’s scoring in the 83rd minute. The goal was assisted by Messi following a fast break.
• LAFC’s lone goal of the game came in the 90th minute when Ryan Hollingshead headed in a goal off a cross from Carlos Vela.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

How did Miami do it?

LAFC were arguably Miami’s stiffest test to date, an elite team with vocal, passionate support and a point to prove. After taking twice as many shots as Miami and bossing the game for long stretches, they have only themselves to blame for this 3-1 loss. Miami looked shaky at moments but they were also opportunistic and clinical on the counter, enough to earn them three badly-needed points against a very good opponent.

They are also rapidly proving to be an adaptable squad. Miami benefited from luck and quality goalkeeping in the game’s opening 20 minutes as LAFC poured on pressure. When they finally found their footing, though, the club had a few nice moments. In just his second appearance, Farias found the back of the net with a lunging effort early on — the 21-year-old was excellent throughout. Messi was uninvolved for stretches and missed on a pair of decent chances in the first half — he was also perfectly positioned in the game’s dying moments to gobble up an LAFC turnover and assist on his side’s final goal of the evening.

“We smelled a little bit of blood and just kept going from there,” Inter Miami defender DeAndre Yedlin said after the match. “(The win) gives us a lot of confidence. Anytime anybody beats LAFC, it gives them a lot of confidence. They are a great team.”

Miami still have their weaknesses. LAFC’s only goal came in the game’s dying moments and came off a set piece. Miami are a rapidly-improving squad, but they remain vulnerable in dead ball situations, certainly an area they’ll need to improve upon if they’re to make the playoffs or make any kind of run within them.

The win leaves Miami on 25 points, seven behind the Chicago Fire, who are clinging to the Eastern Conference’s final postseason spot. Statistically, they remain a longshot to qualify for postseason play. On the other hand, it remains difficult to see Miami, in their current form, dropping any points at all. — Maurer

What Messi said

When asked about the matchup in a postgame interview, Messi said: “Truthfully yes, (this is a big result.) We’d said in the days leading up to the match that this was a big test for us to see where we stand and what we’re capable of. We played in a very difficult setting against a very difficult rival, last year’s champion. Honestly, this is a very important result.”

Messi added that he feels “good physically.”

“I can keep playing, collaborating, trying to help the team how I can and hopefully this dynamic continues,” he said.

Game highlights

Messi to Campana 👀

Leonardo Campana makes it a 3-0 #InterMiamiCF lead. pic.twitter.com/tZ7N16JBkc

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 4, 2023

Ryan Hollingshead gets UP to pull one back for #LAFC pic.twitter.com/PdFVqIbDJB

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 4, 2023

Required reading

(Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)