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Inter Miami CF vs FC Dallas
We've finally arrived to the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami CF taking part in the final 16 of the tournament. New look Miami would hit the road for the first time since the arrival of Lionel Messi to face FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. Tickets for this match were sold out in a record 10 minutes to be able to see the World Cup winner.
It only took six minutes for Messi to begin his mark on this match. Jordi Alba connected with his fellow Barcelona teammate at the top of the box with the Argentine firing off a one time shot and into the bottom left corner for 1-0.
Shockingly after the Miami goal, the momentum weirdly shifted to FC Dallas who started to apply pressure offensively. The Miami defense from the start of the match did not look good and has been the worst match they've had with Messi up front. Facundo Quignon would volley a low leveled cross to equalize 1-1.
U.S. international Jesus Ferreira would help score on his national team teammate Drake Callender in the 45th minute heading into the half. Ferreira would find Dallas teammate Bernard Kamungo for the goal giving the home side a 2-1 lead.
FC Dallas would show Miami that they aren't the only ones that can score from set pieces. They would increase the lead in the 63rd minute with Alan Velasco nailing a free kick past Callender at the far post to make it 3-1.
Benjamin Cremaschi who grew up in Key Biscayne idolizing Messi would be subbed on to only be assisted by his idol. The homegrown talent would score late in the match to cut the deficit to just one making it a 3-2 match. Leonardo Campana was also subbed into the match as well making a big impact.
This match had everything including own goals which would highlight the next two goals by both teams. Dallas would get a break and extend their lead following an own goal from Robert Taylor making it a 4-2 Dallas lead. Next up it would be Miami's turn to get some help with Dallas scoring an own goal to cut the deficit once again making it a 4-3 match.
Messi is going to do what Messi does and he certainly did in the 85th minute sending Toyota Stadium into a frenzy. He would score a free kick at the 85th minute equalizing the match 4-4 sending into penalties.
The teenager Cremaschi would bury the last penalty sending Miami onto the quarterfinals.
Next up for Inter Miami CF is a home match welcoming either the Houston Dynamo or Charlotte FC to DRV PNK Stadium for the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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