Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami vs FC Dallas live updates: Visitors win penalty shootout
FC Dallas #FCDallas
Inter Miami have beaten FC Dallas on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw in the Leagues Cup round of 16. Lionel Messi scored twice, including a stunning free kick.
Michael Dominski
August 7, 2023 at 12:25 AM EDT
Photo: Getty Images
Plenty of Messi fans in Texas
Despite tonight’s match being Lionel Messi’s first in MLS away from home, he had plenty of fans in the house.
Messi’s night summed up
Photo: Getty Images
Match stats
FC Dallas 4-4 Inter Miami
Video of Cremaschi’s winning penaltyCremaschi: We know that we can rally in a matter of seconds
Photo: Getty Images
Benjamin Cremaschi to Apple TV on his goal and his winning penalty: “Obviously it’s exciting. As soon as I came in, with a lot of energy, I tried to change the game and make a difference and I was lucky enough to get a goal in two or three minutes. The team fought really hard to get the game back. When they gave me the fifth penalty I knew where I was going. I trusted in what I was doing.”
He added that Miami’s subs didn’t warm up during the first half due to the heat.
On coming from behind: “You can see our mentality, how things have changed in this club. How we’re willing to fight to the last second. With the quality of players that we have, we know that we can be down a bunch of goals and still come back in a matter of seconds.”
On Messi’s impact: “I don’t get tired of talking about him, I never will. It’s amazing what he can do. He’s scored twice in almost every game.”
Tata: A demonstration of our character
Inter Miami manager Tata Martino spoke to Apple TV through a translator after the thrilling win:
“Dallas was playing better for almost 60 minutes. In the second half we played much better. It was a demonstration of character because it was very hard to come back from behind twice.
“This bodes well for us because it helps us believe we’re a great team. We can come back from behind when we’re playing well.”
When do Lionel Messi and Inter Miami play next?
Inter Miami advance to the Leagues Cup quarter-finals, where they will host the winner of Charlotte FC vs Houston Dynamo FC on Friday or Saturday.
Cremaschi ends it! Miami win!
Cremaschi sends Paes the wrong way and Miami have won the penalty shootout 5-3!
Ferreira scores!
Ferreira coolly sends Callender the wrong way and keeps Dallas alive for now.
Miami lead 4-3 after four rounds. Cremaschi can end it here…
Miller scores!
Paes guesses the right way just as Callender just did, but Miller’s shot also beats him to the same corner.
Miami lead 4-2. Dallas have to score their next penalty or this is over. Ferreira steps up…
Quignon scores!
Callender guesses the right way but Quignon’s shot beats him to the corner to keep Dallas alive.
Miami lead 3-2 after three rounds.
Campana scores!
Campana freezes Paes and sends his shot into the corner. Miami lead 3-1.
Pomykal misses!
Pomykal skies his shot way over the crossbar! Advantage Miami! 2-1 after two rounds.
Busquets scores!
Busquets calmly chips the ball down the middle, beating Paes who dives to the side.
Arriola scores!
Arriola goes straight down the middle. Callender dives to the side and we’re level 1-1 after one round.
Messi scores!
Duh! He opens the shootout by sending Paes the wrong way.
Messi will shoot first
Miami have opted to shoot first, and who else but Messi to start us off.