LIONEL MESSI LEADS INTER MIAMI PAST NASHVILLE IN LEAGUES CUP FINAL

Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. The ball landed at his feet after a pass from teammate Robert Taylor was blocked. Messi dribbled past Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman and unleashed a bending shot from just outside...

Lionel Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot in penalty kicks as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday night. Messi scored midway through the first half, his 10th goal in seven games since joining Inter Miami — all in the Leagues Cup competition — as his new team claimed its first trophy. Messi also opened the penalties by converting his shot. The penalty kicks ended in the 11th round in a showdown between the goalkeepers. Drake Callender scored his penalty for Miami and then made the title-clinching stop on a shot by Nashville's Elliot Pannico. Miami players hoisted Messi on their shoulders and had an extended celebration on the field long after the trophies had been handed out. Miami Coach Tata Martino credited the new group of newcomers like Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, quickly gelling with the team.

“We had to incorporate a lot of new players but I’m very impressed how it came together,” Martino said through a translator.

“I remember the first days (in charge)," Martino continued. "We needed to do more trainings to give shape to the team and I was thinking, how convenient it is to move on in this tournament because we can take advantage of this month to play more. But after this month, we are champions."