Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi won his first trophy in North American soccer as Inter Miami beat Nashville on penalties (10-9) after their final ended 1-1 in 90 minutes.
Messi scored a remarkable goal into the upper corner in the 24th minute, giving Miami the lead, but in the second half, Fafa Picault equalized for Nashville.
Following Messi hitting the post and Leonardo Campana missing a last-minute opportunity to secure victory for Miami during regular time, the match proceeded to a shootout. This shootout ultimately came down to a showdown between the two goalkeepers, resulting in Miami’s Drake Callender saving Elliot Panicco’s shot.
Afterward, Messi and his teammates rushed to celebrate with Drake Callender, the American goalkeeper who had made crucial saves in the late stages of the game to keep Miami’s hopes alive.
When Messi joined Miami just a month ago, the team was at the bottom of the Major League Soccer standings. However, with the addition of Messi and the Spanish duo Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, the team has undergone a remarkable transformation.
They are now on a seven-game undefeated streak that has culminated in winning the League Cup title, a significant achievement for a team in only its third season of existence.
Co-owner David Beckham, who created the club, said he was stunned by the way the former Barcelona trio had been able to bring about change so quickly.
“It is like a movie, you watch these players play and it is, emotionally, everything about their play is beautiful,” Beckham noted.
