Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba take just SIX minutes to combine for a goal in Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup game against Dallas
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Lionel Messi needed just six minutes to rekindle his partnership with former teamate Jordi Alba – and net yet another early goal for Inter Miami.
Messi scored the opening goal in Miami’s Leagues Cup clash with Dallas on Sunday – but only after the referee consulted video replays to overturn an offside decision.
It was Messi’s sixth goal in just four games since moving to the United States.
It was also the third time in as many matches that the World Cup winner had flown out of the blocks.
In Texas on Sunday, Messi stroked the ball home from the edge of the box following a pull-back from Alba, who was making his first start since joining his former Barcelona teammate in Florida.
Lionel Messi needed six minutes to rekindle his partnership with former teamate Jordi Alba
The goal bore striking resemblance to a iconic goal in 2017, when the pair combined for Messi to score an injury-time winner at the home of great rivals Real Madrid.
The goal on Sunday was initially ruled out for offside against Josef Martinez, who was adjudged to have obstructed the view of Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
But referee Cesar Ramos was advised to consult his pitchside monitor and soon the official had changed the call.
It marked the first time Messi has combined with Alba, with whom he came through the academy at Barcelona.
Messi stroked the ball home from the edge of the box following a pull-back from Alba
Messi’s opening goal against Dallas came in the sixth minute. Against Orlando City last time out, he netted after seven minutes.
In his first start last month, a 4-0 win over Atlanta United, Messi needed only eight minutes to find the target.
The goal, which took Messi alongside Minnesota’s Bongokuhle Hlongwane in the Leagues Cup top scorers list, came just a couple of minutes after Dallas thought they had taken the lead.
But the home team was on the wrong end of an offside call, with Jesus Ferreira’s header ruled out by the assistant referee.
Dallas did lead by the break, however, following two goals in eight minutes. That meant Inter Miami trailled for the first time in the tournament.
After Dallas made it 3-1, Messi and Alba comibed once more to create a second Miami goal for Benjamin Cremaschi.
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