• Source:JND
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Lionel Messi shines again for his new club Inter Miami as he scores twice against Orlando City to give yet another victory to his team on Wednesday. Messi scored in his third straight game and had his second consecutive multi-goal performance MLS side.

The game was delayed 95 minutes because of thunderstorms with Messi taking no time in scoring as he put his side 1-0 ahead with a goal in the seventh minute. He stopped a pass from Robert Taylor on his chest, dribbled a couple of yards near the edge of the 6-yard box, and converted a shot that landed under the crossbar.

 

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Orlando was quick to respond as he scored an equaliser 11 minutes later, making it 1-1 in the Round of 32 match.

Messi's long-term friend and former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba made his debut for Inter Miami.

The Miami-based club had a scare early in the second half with Orlando's Mauricio Pereyra colliding with Messi who remained on the ground for a while favoring his jaw for a couple of minutes before reaching his feet.

Messi received his first yellow card with Inter Miami when he was cited for a hard foul in the 21st minute. He scored his second goal of the game when he received a centering pass from Josef Martinez and converted a right-footed shot that landed inside the left post and put Inter Miami ahead 3-1.

Messi and his Inter Miami teammates appeared on the DRV PNK Stadium field for warm-ups 45 minutes before the scheduled start that was at 8 p.m. The heavy rains began approximately 20 minutes later.

 

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After the stadium crew drained water puddles around mid-field, Messi and his teammates arrived again for a second round of pre-game warm-ups.

Messi has not dealt with inclement weather in his first two Leagues Cup matches since joining the MLS club. He scored the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul and added two goals in a victory over Atlanta United, taking his tally to five goals for Inter Miami.