Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup and added an assist as Inter Miami recovered from an early deficit to defeat Atlético San Luis 4-2 in a Leagues Cup match in Miami on Wednesday night.
Messi struck in the 11th and 44th minutes, while Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also scored for Inter Miami. David Rodríguez and Rafa Llorente scored for San Luis. Noah Allen supplied three assists as Miami extended its unbeaten run to eight matches.
The result also moved Messi into the outright lead for career goals in Leagues Cup history. He has scored 14 goals in 12 tournament appearances, one more than Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga in the competition’s four-year history.
Miami answers early San Luis opener
San Luis took the lead four minutes into the match when Rodríguez scored with a header. Messi responded quickly for Inter Miami, firing a long cross from Allen past goalkeeper Andrés Sánchez to level the score in the 11th minute.
Segovia then put Inter Miami in front with the team’s second goal of the first half. Messi added another before the break, finishing from close range in the 44th minute to give Miami further control of the match.
Micael completed Miami’s first-half scoring in stoppage time, heading in after an assist from Messi. The goal gave Inter Miami a 4-1 advantage after the early setback.
Llorente scored for San Luis, but Miami held on for the 4-2 result. The second half was delayed by 30 minutes because of lightning in the area.
Messi makes immediate mark after World Cup return
Messi was back in Inter Miami’s starting lineup for his second match since the World Cup. Argentina reached a second straight final with Messi before losing 1-0 to Spain. The 39-year-old had played 37 minutes as a substitute in a match against the Columbus Crew on Saturday and was held off the scoresheet.
Against San Luis, he made an immediate difference. His equalizer erased the early deficit, his close-range finish provided his second goal of the night, and his assist set up Micael’s header. The performance delivered both a league-wide tournament milestone and a fourth victory for Miami in a match that required the team to respond early.
Messi previously led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup title in 2023 shortly after his arrival. Miami reached the final again last year, losing 3-0 to Seattle in a match that ended with a brawl involving Luis Suárez.
Suárez was unavailable against San Luis and will not play in this year’s tournament following his suspension. Miami nevertheless had ample production, with Messi, Segovia and Micael all on the scoresheet and Allen creating three goals in a 4-2 win.
