Lionel Messi scored another two goals — that’s now 7 goals in 4 games — and Inter Miami came back to tie FC Dallas 4-4 and advanced on penalty kicks to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals,
In a thrilling match, Messi and Inter Miami were down 4-2 with 10 minutes to go, but they managed to level things at 4-4 with the equalizer scored by Messi on another majestic free-kick. It was the first time that Inter Miami were down a goal with Messi, and found a way through the adversity.
During the penalty shootout, Miami scored on all five attempts, while FC Dallas saw Paxton Pomykal’s miss open the door for Inter Miami to win the shootout.
Inter Miami’s 18-year-old academy product Benja Cremaschi scored during regulation, and then netted the fifth and final penalty kick to send Inter Miami into a quarterfinal they will host against either Houston Dynamo or Charlotte FC.
“I think it was a game where FC Dallas played better over the course of about an hour,” Inter manager Tata Martino told Apple TV postgame. “In the second half we were set up better and I think it’s a show of character because it’s tough to come back in a match where the loser goes home.
“[The win] is helpful to believe we can be a good team and that even when we’re losing a game, we’re capable of coming back.”
MORE: Leagues Cup bracket and Round of 16 schedule
Benjamin Cremaschi with the exclamation point❕#InterMiamiCF are moving on in @LeaguesCup. pic.twitter.com/JExaUw49u6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
FC Dallas vs Inter Miami final score
Final (PKs) | Goal scorers | |
FC Dallas | 4 (3) | – Facundo Quignon (Marco Farfan) 37′ – Bernard Kamungo (Jesus Ferreira) 45′ – Alan Velasco 63′ – Own goal (Robert Taylor) 68′ |
Inter Miami | 4 (5) | – Lionel Messi (Jordi Alba) 6′ – Benja Cremaschi (Jordi Alba) 65′ – Own goal (Marco Farfan) 80′ – Lionel Messi 85′ |
Lineups:
FC Dallas (4-3-3, right to left): 30. Paes (GK) — 2. Jesus (22. Twumasi 77′), 25. Ibeagha, 17. Tafari, 4. Farfan — 12. Lletget (19. Pomykal 69′), 5. Quignon, 20. Velasco (16. Ntsabeleng 77′) — 77. Kamungo (31. Ansah 58′), 10. Ferreira, 8. Obrian (7. Arriola 59′).
Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Callender (GK) — 2. Yedlin (19. Robinson 75′), 27. Kryvtsov, 31. Miller, 18. Alba — 3. Arroyo, 5. Busquets, 8. D. Gomez (30. Cremaschi 64′) — 10. Messi, 17. J. Martinez (9. Campana 75′), 16. Taylor.
MORE: Inter Miami beginner’s guide | Messi’s stadium | Club owners | Coach
Lionel Messi’s legend grows at Inter Miami
Everyone knows Lionel Messi is one of the greats, but who saw this kind of start to his time at Inter Miami? Seven goals in four games with a team he’s still learning and in a competition he’s unfamiliar with.
He may have scored twice against FC Dallas, but he was actually involved on all four of his team’s goals.
His curling shot from the top of the box found the back of the net in the 6th minute, though it was only allowed to stand after video review determined that Josef Martinez’s offside position didn’t block the line of sight of the goalkeeper.
Then Messi’s pass to Jordi Alba led to Miami’s second, Messi’s free-kick caused an own goal for Miami’s third, and then his amazing free-kick strike capped a night no one in the sold-out crowd will forget.
10 – Lionel Messi has scored multiple goals in three straight club matches for the 10th time in his career and the first since March 2019 with Barcelona. Unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/2H1JMV3OnA
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) August 7, 2023
Alan Velasco shines for FC Dallas
With the lights shining bright, FC Dallas had their own Argentine playmaker who showed up in a big way with nutmegs, passing, free-kicks, and shots that the supporters in the stadium relished just as much as Messi’s touches.
It’s little wonder that after the match it’s the Dallas 21-year-old who wound up with the coveted Messi jersey.
Velasco 🤝 Messi pic.twitter.com/AeokgkGZ2X
— Garrett Melcer (@GarrettMelcer) August 7, 2023
FC Dallas vs Inter Miami live updates, highlights, commentary
Penalty shootout: Inter Miami advances 5-3 on PKs
R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | |
FC Dallas | O | X | O | O | |
Inter Miami | O | O | O | O | O |
1st Round
- Inter Miami: Lionel Messi kicks first and scores
- FC Dallas: Paul Arriola goes down the middle and scores
2nd Round
- Inter Miami: Sergio Busquets down the middle and scores
- FC Dallas: Paxton Pomykal fires it over the bar!
3rd Round
- Inter Miami: The ‘keeper doesn’t move and Leo Campana easily scores
- FC Dallas: Facundo Quignon converts inside the right post
4th Round
- Inter Miami: Kamal Miller drills it low to the right and scores
- FC Dallas: Jesus Ferreira sends the ‘keeper the other way and scores
5th Round
- Inter Miami: Benja Cremaschi scores and Inter Miami win the shootout!
- FC Dallas: (no kick)
ON TO THE QUARTERFINALS FOR @INTERMIAMICF pic.twitter.com/ZR2WPydCHV
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
End of Regulation: FC Dallas 4-4 Inter Miami
96th min.: We’re heading to penalty kicks to determine who advances to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
90th min.: Six minutes of stoppage time. Reminder that if we’re still tied, it’s directly to penalty kicks.
85th min.: Goal Inter Miami! It’s another Lionel Messi free-kick masterclass and it’s 4-4!
HE DID IT AGAIN. 🤯
LEO MESSI. FREE KICK. EQUALIZER. 4-4. pic.twitter.com/Yh1TXFDENH
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
This angle of Lionel Messi’s free kick is crazy 🔥
(via @MLS) pic.twitter.com/7Mva2KL090
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) August 7, 2023
🤯 Messi free kick goal in person is a religious experience. pic.twitter.com/khIjLbxXq9
— FC Pyramid Scheme (@Mongoose_FC) August 7, 2023
80th min.: Goal Inter Miami! The free-kick ball whipped in by Lionel Messi was so good that FC Dallas defender Marco Farfan heads it into his own goal! The FC Dallas left-back would have had to get out of the way to avoid that one.
⚽️ Gol en contra de Farfán y ahora el #InterMiamiCF cae 3-4. pic.twitter.com/fsAyH0IYLk
— Rincón MLS (@RinconMLS) August 7, 2023
77th min.: SUBS FC Dallas. The home team makes the counter-subs and we’ll see which team is going to have the leg up in the final 10 minutes.
75th min.: SUBS Inter Miami. Tata Martino is going for it. Leo Campana and Robbie Robinson are into the game. Josef Martinez and DeAndre Yedlin are out and they’re going to three defenders in the back.
71st min.: Hydration break.What a wild start to this second half.
68th min.: Goal FC Dallas! Paul Arriola cuts the ball back in the Miami box, and Robert Taylor inadvertently hits the ball into his own net as he came back to try to help defend. Incredible. 4-2 Dallas. It’s an own goal and this game is wide open.
65th min.: Goal Inter Miami! Just a minute after coming on it’s Benja Cremaschi with the goal! Lionel Messi to Jordi Alba down the left, and his cutback cross from the end line is met with a first-time touch by Cremaschi for the goal by the academy product.
THIS GAME.
Jordi Alba to Benjamin Cremaschi to pull one back. #LeaguesCup2023 pic.twitter.com/3EOl7UtV6j
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
63rd min.: Goal FC Dallas! It’s an Alan Velasco set piece into the box and it apparently gets by Miami’s ‘keeper untouched. It’s 3-1 Dallas!
Velasco with the dangerous service and it’s 3-1!
Two goals to the good for @FCDallas. 💪 #LeaguesCup2023 pic.twitter.com/ZLbpbugjql
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
And Alan Velasco is having himself some game:
Alan Velasco is COOKING. 👨🍳#LeaguesCup2023 pic.twitter.com/iSJ8Qk3waS
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
59th min.: SUBS FC Dallas. The changes are on the wings with Paul Arriola and Eugene Ansah coming in for Obrian and Kamungo.
57th min.: Chance inter Miami! Lionel Messi lays it back to Sergio Busquets who rips a shot that goes high of the bar.
🔥 Pfff, con la TRANQUILIDAD y CALIDAD que #Messi pisó esa pelota, por favor.pic.twitter.com/j1F1Z3Ysm2
— Rincón MLS (@RinconMLS) August 7, 2023
55th min.: Chance FC Dallas! Jesus Ferreira is sprung in behind and he’s 1-on-1, but out of nowhere Kamal Miller makes a stunning recovery play to thwart the chance.
It’s not been a good five minutes for Jesus Ferreira, who has had the chances but has not been able to convert.
50th min.: Chances FC Dallas! It’s Marco Farfan with two separate crosses from the left. First it was Bernard Kamungo with a header and then moments later it was Jesus Ferreira with a point-blank header of his own. But FC Dallas can’t take advantage.
48th min.: Chance Inter Miami! Sergio Busquets to Lionel Messi to Diego Gomez, who made a run into the box. But it’s a bad attempt from Gomez, who knows he missed a great look. The ball goes wide for a goal kick.
46th min.: Second half is underway and no subs for either team.
Messi regresa al campo en busca de su primera remontada con la camiseta de #InterMiamiCF
Mira el segundo tiempo a través del #MLSSeasonPass de @AppleTV: https://t.co/6PiePZY1gc pic.twitter.com/PAYh35zAm0
— MLS Español (@MLSes) August 7, 2023
Halftime: FC Dallas 2-1 Inter Miami
Halftime: That was a fun half of soccer with the playmakers and attacking trio for each side putting on a show.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino has to worry about his defenders and their ability to bring the ball out, especially because FC Dallas are planning to press them high and try to force turnovers.
“We got the rhythm of the game early, and we can be more aggressive toward goal,” FC Dallas coach Nico Estevez told Apple TV at halftime. “Pressing high has been working and we’ll continue like this.”
FC Dallas are the younger side, and it will be interesting to see how long Inter Miami can keep going at this pace with the game being open and end-to-end in 90-degree weather (Fahrenheit).
45th min.: Goal FC Dallas! A lightning quick transition. Alan Velasco fed Jesus Ferreira who went on a long run, then served it to Bernard Kamungo, who did the rest for a Messi-esque goal. It’s 2-1 Dallas!
BERNARD. KAMUNGO.
A 2-1 lead for @FCDallas and a moment the 21-year-old will never forget. #LeaguesCup2023 pic.twitter.com/pSBmFVZGBc
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
37th min.: Goal FC Dallas! It’s a simple cross by left-back Marco Farfan on the left and central midfielder Facundo Quignon makes the run into the top of the box and hits the first-time shot to beat the Miami ‘keeper. It’s 1-1. That wasn’t a good look for the Inter Miami defenders.
BIG GAME FACU!!! pic.twitter.com/6hmZb0NOxT
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) August 7, 2023
This was Messi’s reaction to the FC Dallas goal:
Messi seemed frustrated as Dallas equalized 🥲 pic.twitter.com/17HrmXLsjv
— Messi Media (@LeoMessiMedia) August 7, 2023
35th min.: Chance Inter Miami! It’s the Messi show. Again in transition, he dishes the perfect pass to Robert Taylor on the left and the winger’s shot on goal is saved. But the rebound heads back to Messi, who attempts the soft chip shot. Nkosi Tafari clears off the goal line.
We care so much about Kos. pic.twitter.com/JkAMdKIlTw
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) August 7, 2023
32nd min.: Chance Inter Miami! But it’s offside. Lionel Messi dished a diagonal pass to Josef Martinez, who was offside. His shot was saved, but the flag also went up.
31st min.: Celebrity watch. Ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is on hand at Toyota Stadium to watch Messi.
Her eyes… I’m dead💀 pic.twitter.com/BU7jzILVuV
— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) August 7, 2023
26th min.: Hydration break for both teams. And it’s a chance for a team talk. Lionel Messi is using the stoppage to sit on the ground as Tata Martino is animated as he talks to his players.
20th min.: It’s entertaining, flowing, end-to-end action by both teams. Inter Miami are moving the ball quickly, while the best moves from FC Dallas see playmaker Alan Velasco at the center of the action.
This Velasco nutmeg dribble got the collective ‘Oooh’ from the home crowd:
An Argentine Nutmeg pic.twitter.com/PHJL0fLG17
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) August 7, 2023
16th min.: YELLOW card to FC Dallas defender Nkosi Tafari. He chops down Josef Martinez with a foul from behind near midfield. Yellow is the right decision, but it wasn’t worth it for Tafari. It’s early to be on a yellow when you’re defending Messi.
12th min.: Chance FC Dallas! It’s 21-year-old Alan Velasco on a free-kick that just misses the target. It got the fans on their feet.
6th min.: Goal Inter Miami! Lionel Messi scores on a perfectly placed shot from just inside the box. The goal is momentarily disallowed because Josef Martinez is offside and potentially obstructs the goalkeeper.
But the referee goes to the monitor to watch the video and the goal will stand. Josef Martinez got out of the way to the right of the post. It’s a good call. That’s Messi’s sixth goal in four games, and he’s scored in every game so far.
Another game. Another goal. Just Messi things. 🐐
After Video Review, his sixth goal in four matches stands! pic.twitter.com/SZLTppHm9D
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
The ball was going to hit Martinez, but since he moved to let the ball go through, he also destabilize the gk’s reaction pic.twitter.com/9GAOMWWv0l
— Alonso Contreras (@alonso_purple) August 7, 2023
5th min.: Lionel Messi pass! It’s exquisite, and the FC Dallas fans are chanting “Messi, Messi” just moments later.
4th min.: Goal disallowed for FC Dallas. Another cross into the box, and the first header is stopped by a reflex save from the Miami ‘keeper. But Jesus Ferreira was offside when he put home the rebound. It’s correctly disallowed.
2nd min.: Chance FC Dallas! Bernard Kamungo on the right wing whips in a wicked cross and Jesus Ferreira applies the glancing header which just finishes wide. Excellent play and a warning shot to Inter Miami.
1st min.: FC Dallas kick off. The home team is in their home kit, and Inter Miami are in their usual pink jersey.
¡Arranca el partido! #DTID #InterMiamiCF #LeaguesCup pic.twitter.com/pmfwTD887h
— Pedro Silva (@pedritosilva) August 7, 2023
Kickoff
5 minutes before kickoff: Teams are coming out to the field. Kickoff is moments away.
I can’t explain it. But this is very weird to be here. pic.twitter.com/mgvjyT6VMD
— peter🤷 (@peet2) August 7, 2023
Awesome night in @CityOfFriscoTx about to kickoff.#InterMiamiCF vs #DTID pic.twitter.com/DWQ8E8sjVb
— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) August 7, 2023
10 minutes before kickoff: If you’re a neutral following this game, here’s a reason to root for this FC Dallas player to score a goal or two against Messi’s Inter Miami.
Haven’t heard about Bernard Kamungo’s incredible path to @FCDallas? Listen in. 🔊
Tonight, he starts against Messi & Miami. #LeaguesCup2023 pic.twitter.com/ZP1lUImYma
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 7, 2023
20 minutes before kickoff: Inter Miami have to run through FC Dallas warmups to get to their side of the field.
Lionel Messi leads #InterMiamiCF onto the Toyota Stadium field. pic.twitter.com/WnVAXNMePg
— Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) August 7, 2023
#Messi warming up.
Kickoff in less than 30.#InterMiamiCF vs #DTID. pic.twitter.com/IK6nsGhMIo— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) August 7, 2023
30 minutes before kickoff: Starting lineups are out. Two changes for each team from their last match.
Tonight’s Starting XI vs FC Dallas #DALvMIA | 9:30PM ET | 📺#MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/uHBnWF1SDc pic.twitter.com/BUN5ikggZv
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 7, 2023
Our XI.
Tune in with #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/Ym7YQwDf9L pic.twitter.com/JDmMvdX9bb
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) August 7, 2023
This is an interesting observation about the Inter Miami lineup.
Every starter for Miami has been called in for their respective national team in the last year..
They’ve represented…
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇪🇸 Spain (2)
🇪🇨 Ecuador
🇫🇮 Finland
🇺🇦 Ukraine
🇵🇾 Paraguay
🇻🇪 Venezuela
🇺🇸 USA (2)
🇨🇦 CanadaThis has to be a first for MLS
— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) August 7, 2023
40 minutes before kickoff: Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham is on hand for Messi’s first road game.
David Beckham has arrived at Toyota Stadium pic.twitter.com/E8sBNtlMxY
— Garrett Melcer (@GarrettMelcer) August 7, 2023
50 minutes before kickoff: It’s hot in Dallas, but it’s not that much cooler in Miami these days. We’ll see if weather is a factor for 36-year-old Messi and 35-year-old Sergio Busquets.
#FCDvMIA #Messi𓃵
current WX 2hr before kickoff pic.twitter.com/sZi2icWmNv— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) August 6, 2023
1 hour before kickoff: FC Dallas star forward Jesus Ferreira is aware tonight is a big occasion and he came dressed accordingly.
👋 @Jesusfcd27 #LeaguesCup2023 | #SomosFCD pic.twitter.com/uFVdcxNQdm
— MLS Español (@MLSes) August 7, 2023
1 hour, 15 minutes before kickoff: Looks like Toyota Stadium is having a hard time dealing with the Messi crush of fans. We’ll see how much of the crowd will be pro-Messi vs. pro-FC Dallas.
We apologize for the delay guests are experiencing entering Toyota Stadium.
Per MLS’ request, we were required to delay opening Toyota Stadium gates until all visiting players had arrived.
— Toyota Stadium (@ToyotaStadiumTX) August 7, 2023
Check out how long the line is to get in:
The line of people hoping to spot #Messi outside Toyota Stadium has grown considerably. https://t.co/ViN7KIVrxn pic.twitter.com/35dEYdUZpt
— Jon Arnold (@ArnoldcommaJon) August 6, 2023
2 hours before kickoff: When they say everything is bigger in Texas, they probably meant Dallas. It’s called ‘The Big D’ for a reason.
Premiering tonight at the @FCDallas for game against Inter Miami and Messi:
The XL Ice Cream Sandwich ($15)
18 ounces of vanilla ice cream and a cookie sandwich made up of 12 combined chocolate chip cookies pic.twitter.com/gNH2pLVDls
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 6, 2023
FC Dallas vs Inter Miami lineups, team news
There are only a couple of tweaks made by manager Tata Martino to the starting lineup with Jordi Alba making his first start at left-back (for Noah Allen) and Paraguayan national teamer Diego Gomez goes into midfield in place of academy product Benja Cremaschi.
Christopher McVey is back from serving a red card suspension, though Gregore, Jean Mota, Corentin Jean, Franco Negri, and Ian Fray continue to be long-term absences.
Inter Miami starting lineup (4-3-3): 1. Callender (GK) — 2. Yedlin, 27. Kryvtsov, 31. Miller, 18. Alba — 3. Arroyo, 5. Busquets, 8. D. Gomez — 10. Messi, 17. J. Martinez, 16. Taylor.
Inter Miami subs (12): 99. Jensen (GK), 29. Dos Santos (GK), 4. McVey, 15. Sailor, 32. Allen, 20. Neville, 13. Ulloa, 28. Azcona, 30. Cremaschi, 41. D. Ruiz, 19. R. Robinson, 9. Campana.
FC Dallas will insert left-back Marco Farfan and Sebastian Ibeagha back in the starting lineup. The club recently traded midfielder Edwin Cerrillo to LAFC, but acquired midfielders Liam Fraser and Asier Illarramendi, though the latter is not expected to be available to play in this game.
FC Dallas starting lineup (4-3-3): 30. Paes (GK) — 2. Jesus, 25. Ibeagha, 17. Tafari, 4. Farfan — 12. Lletget, 5. Quignon, 20. Velasco — 77. Kamungo, 10. Ferreira, 8. Obrian.
FC Dallas subs (12): 1. Maurer (GK), 13. Zarzar (GK), 29. Junqua, 3. J. Martinez, 19. Pomykal, 16. Ntsabeleng, 22. Twumasi, 24. Korca, 7. Arriola, 9. J. Jimenez, 11. Sealy, 31. Ansah
How to watch FC Dallas vs Inter Miami live stream
- Date: Sunday, August 6, 2023
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 a.m. BST (Mon, Aug. 7) / 11:30 a.m. AEST (Mon, Aug. 7)
- TV Channel: — None —
- Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
The entirety of the Leagues Cup is being streamed on MLS Season Pass which can be found on Apple TV.
With the MLS season past the halfway mark, Apple has slashed the price on subscriptions for MLS Season Pass, with new users able to jump in at 50 percent off for the rest of the year.
And Apple is going all in on Messi. For Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup matches, MLS Season Pass features “an enhanced production” with “18 cameras, Steadicam, four super slow-motion cameras, Skycam, a drone, sideline reporters in Spanish and English, a dedicated one-hour pregame show on site with features, interviews and expert analysis, and a postgame show to wrap things up.”