Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both contributed one assist as Inter Miami defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 in the first match of the American professional soccer tournament MLS 2024.
Inter Miami fielded its strongest squad in the opening match of the 2024 American professional soccer tournament MLS versus Real Salt Lake. Lionel Messi teams up with Luis Suarez, who is joined by Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
With home field advantage, Inter Miami dominated the game and took the lead in the 39th minute. Lionel Messi aided Robert Taylor in escaping and shooting into the Real Salt Lake net. The away team’s goalie touched the ball but failed to block it properly, resulting in a goal.
Lionel Messi continued to inspire Inter Miami’s assault, and he appeared to have gained a penalty when the Real Salt Lake player used his hand to block a shot in the penalty area in the 60th minute. However, VAR intervened and found Sergio Busquets was offside earlier, thus the referee did not award a penalty.
After avoiding the penalty, the away team regained their composure and created three serious chances but were unable to level. The match’s outcome was decided only after Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez combined to create an opportunity for Diego Gomez to make it 2-0.
Lionel Messi advanced from the middle of the field to the edge of the opposing team’s penalty area and passed the ball. Diego Gomez scored after receiving an assist from Luis Suarez. Inter Miami defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 in their first match at MSL 2024.
This victory helped Inter Miami restore face following a series of friendly matches prior to the bad season (four losses, two draws, and one win). Lionel Messi and his teammates will visit the LA Galaxy at 8:30 a.m. on February 26, Vietnam time, for the next round of MLS 2024.