Lionel Messi scored early on regulation and successfully completed the first penalty in the penalty shootout as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday night .
Messi scored for the 10th time in seven games since joining Inter Miami – all in the Leagues Cup – scoring in the 23rd minute.
The ball reached Messi’s feet after teammate Robert Taylor’s pass was blocked. Messi dribbled past Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman and sent a low shot from just outside the box to the top left corner of the goal. Diving goalkeeper Elliot Panicco didn’t get a chance to play ball.
🏆💥 SOMOS CAMEONES 💥 pic.twitter.com/zpczG0eWjE
– Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 20, 2023
Messi wasn’t particularly influential before he scored, and the crowd booed him every time he touched the ball. But the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who led Argentina to the World Cup, scored last year.
Nashville ended the game in the 56th minute when Fafa Picault’s header from a corner missed Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi post and went into the net of goalkeeper Drake Callender.
Messi had a shot from the area he had previously scored in in the 71st minute, but hit the post as the two teams drew 1-1 as per the rules.
Equip Estee pic.twitter.com/cXrFCf2fPc
– Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 20, 2023
Miami forward Leonardo Campana had a chance to win the final game of regulation, but his shot missed an empty goal and hit the post. Messi holds his head as the ball goes out.
Messi calmly converted the first shot in the penalty shootout and it was Callender who scored the PK lead and made a save to win the title.
“It was an honor to be part of our first win in a final,” said Callender. “It’s pretty surreal. Very emotional. This group works hard day in and day out to be able to perform like this on a night like this. And to get to the bottom, it’s great to see persistence, just believing in what we’re capable of. It’s something special and I’m lucky to be a part of it.”
Callender said he tried to stay as calm as possible through 11 penalty shootouts.
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“I just need to focus, breathe evenly, stay as calm as possible,” he said. “I mean, the atmosphere here tonight is vibrant. So I took that moment and I just believe in the work that I put in and the rehearsals that I did leading up to that moment and it ended our way. .
Messi mania has engulfed Music City after Nashville SC advanced to the final against Miami FC with a win over Monterrey of the Mexican league on Tuesday. Ticket prices skyrocketed after they went on sale the next day but eased somewhat in the days leading up to the game. The cheapest chairs still cost a few hundred dollars. Geodis Park has a capacity of 30,109 people.
Nashville native Reese Witherspoon brought the ball out and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo made several shots on goal before the game. Both are minority owners of Nashville SC.
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