Messi Scores Twice as Inter Miami Beats Atlético San Luis 4-2 in Storm-Interrupted Match

Lionel Messi delivered a standout performance for Inter Miami in a 4–2 victory over Mexican club Atlético San Luis during a Leagues Cup fixture played in the early hours of Thursday. The match was suspended for 30 minutes due to severe weather conditions, including lightning near the stadium.

Match Timeline and Goal Details

Atlético San Luis opened the scoring in the fourth minute through David Rodríguez. Messi equalized seven minutes later—in the 11th minute—finishing a precise long pass from Noah Allen that bypassed goalkeeper Andrés Sánchez. He then scored again just before halftime, in the 44th minute, from close range, giving Inter Miami a 2–1 lead at the break.

In the second half, Venezuelan forward Ariel Lassiter extended Inter Miami’s advantage with the third goal. Rafael Yoriente pulled one back for Atlético San Luis to narrow the gap. In stoppage time, Messi provided the assist for the fourth goal, delivering a well-placed ball that defender Michael walked into the net with a header.

Messi’s Tournament Record and Historical Standing

The two goals marked Messi’s first brace since the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With those strikes, he raised his tournament tally to 14 goals in 12 matches, moving ahead of Los Angeles FC striker Denis Bouanga to become the all-time top scorer in Leagues Cup history.

This was Messi’s second consecutive start since returning from the 2026 World Cup. In his previous appearance—a 2–2 draw against Columbus Crew—he came on as a substitute in the 53rd minute and played 37 minutes without scoring.

Team Performance and Supporting Contributions

Noah Allen stood out defensively and offensively, registering three assists—more than any other player on the pitch—and playing a pivotal role in Inter Miami’s win. The result extended the club’s unbeaten run to eight consecutive matches.

Inter Miami previously won the Leagues Cup title in 2023 following Messi’s arrival at the club. Last season, the team reached the final but lost 3–0 to Seattle Sounders. That match featured notable incidents, including a six-match suspension handed to Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez—causing him to miss both the upcoming clash against Atlético San Luis and the current edition of the tournament, despite having recently scored seven goals in his last four appearances.