Inter Miami Dominates Orlando 5-0: Messi and Suarez Shine with Brace Each
Inter Miami CF delivered a resounding 5-0 victory over Orlando City in Major League Soccer, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez stealing the show with two goals each.
Suarez, initially struggling with sharpness and fitness, showcased his prowess with a stunning performance, dispelling any doubts about his capabilities.
Rivals from Florida, Orlando, placed second in the Eastern Conference the previous year and was a strong candidate for the MLS Cup this year, but Miami proved superior from the start.
Suarez had struggled in his first two appearances due to lack of match fitness and sharpness, but the 37-year-old top scorer for Gremio in Brazil last season dispelled any concerns about his ability to play in the closing third of games.
“I’m thrilled that he was able to score for him. Despite everything, we remained composed since everyone is aware of Luis’s abilities and qualities, Messi remarked.
“He’s that way; he solves a game for you when you least expect it, like he did with the goals and assists today.”
It only took Suarez four minutes to put Miami ahead, and he made a powerful first-time effort inside the near post to meet a low cross from Julian Gressel for his first goal as a member of the new team.
After just seven minutes, Suarez had doubled his total. Gressel had once again found the Uruguayan, who had excellent close control in the box before diving into the corner.
Although Messi’s crowd enjoyed some of his delectable touches, Miami was in complete control, and Suarez—his old Barcelona teammate—was causing the most damage.
In the 29th minute, Robert Taylor doubled the score after an outstanding Gressel broke the Orlando defense and found Suarez, who selflessly picked up Taylor for an easy tap-in.
After that, Messi produced a spectacular curling free kick against the upright from 30 yards out, and a few minutes later, he set up Suarez for a beautiful through pass that reached the back of the net. But an offside flag dashed his dreams of celebrating a hat trick.
Following the interval, Orlando came out swinging, looking for a way to get back into the game. They were upset when Martin Ojeda’s shot was flagged offside.
Heading back in a sway
Miami established a rhythm early on, with Messi missing a shot by millimeters in the 54th minute and Gressel crashing into the bar following a deft pass from Suarez.
Left-back Jordi Alba, another of Miami’s former Barcelona foursome, set up the fourth goal when he broke free down the left side, set up a one-two with Suarez, and clipped the ball goalward.
After a last-ditch attempt at clearing the ball by Orlando captain Robin Jansson went over the bar, Messi was there to score.
When Suarez was spotted in the inside left channel, he glanced up and saw Messi at the back post. Messi found him with a perfectly weighted left-foot cross, which the Argentine headed into the far corner. Suarez appeared eager to get his hat trick.
Suarez was replaced in the 67th minute, and he exited the field to cheers from the crowd following a display that will have worried defenses all around the league.
Miami will play again in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Thursday against Nashville, and Messi is optimistic about their early success. Miami has seven points from their first three games.
He declared, “We’re growing, having fun, and doing well.” “We needed to win today’s match in order to keep moving forward on our growth path, and this will only strengthen us for the challenges ahead.
“It’s critical to start strong, particularly in the initial games… We started with the goal of accumulating as many points as we could because the Copa America and the League Cup follow.
