5 talking points as Messi and Inter Miami win dramatic Leagues Cup final
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup final on penalties in dramatic fashion to hand David Beckham his first trophy as owner.
The Geodis Park proved a cauldron of atmosphere for the Leagues Cup final and it was a real who's who event. Nashville are rich with celebrity investors and they certainly made the most of the occasion; NBA and Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo was in the stands, while Reese Witherspoon delivered the match ball pre-kick-off.
The spectacle started in a feisty manner with challenges flying in from Nashville, much to Sergio Busquets' disdain. But it was Miami who delivered the first crushing- blow with Messi scoring a jaw-dropping goal from the edge of the box on minute 23.
Nashville hit back in the second half through a Fafa Picault header after Miami failed to deal with a corner. This was promptly followed by Messi hitting the post with yet another long-range effort.
In the dying seconds, Leonardo Campana agonisingly missed an open goal meaning the tie to went penalties.
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David Beckham with NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo (centre) ahead of kick-off (Getty Images)Messi booed
Booing isn't totally uncommon in MLS but, given that the majority of fans attending - Nashville, Miami or otherwise - were, if we're being brutally honest, there to see Messi, it was a surprise to hear the Miami No. 10 booed.
Messi was booed in the warm up, booed while leading his team out onto the pitch and booed when he first touched the ball after kick-off. This is likely down to fear more than any actual hate for the player.
And for good reason because Messi showed them exactly why they should be petrified 23 minutes later.
Nashville were aggressive from the start (AP)Aggressive Nashville start
Nashville made the most of their home advantage and started incredibly aggressively. Busquets was fouled early, Messi took an elbow and they attacked with real menace.
Drake Callender was called into action a couple of times within the first 20 minutes. The shot-stopper was forced to rush out of his area and head a ball away to prevent a one-on-one opportunity. He then pulled off a solid stop to deny Walker Zimmerman's header from a long throw.
The hosts' brilliant start meant they became the first team to stop Miami scoring in the first 15 minutes when all of Messi, Busquets and Alba have started.
Messi celebrates his wondergoalMarvellous, marvellous Messi
Unfortunately for Nashville their excellent work was undone on minute 23 by, yes you guessed it, Messi. Showing the cute dribbling skill he built his career on at Barcelona, Messi skipped past one, two Nashville players before curling the ball from outside the box into the top left corner.
He looked 28 and in the form of his life again. Unfortunately for Nashville, Zimmerman was one of the player's he dribbled past who probably wished he put a bit more behind his header only moments before.
Commentators on Apple TV said players 'must get closer, must be sharper'. But the level of opposition is irrelevant. No one is stopping his 37th goal in a final.
Fafa Picault celebrates Nashville's equaliser vs Inter Miami (Getty Images)Nashville hit back
It would have been no shame to lose a final to a Messi wondergoal. And Nashville could have easily lied down after Messi's curling shot hit the back of the net.
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But the Tennessee team came out fighting in the second half. They kept up their aggressive and attacking style, refusing to quit.
And their strength in set pieces, which always looked a threat in the second half, proved decisive. Hany Mukhtar's corner found its way via a flick-on to Fafa Picault who headed the ball into the goal off Callender.
Drake Callender proved to be the penalty hero (Getty Images)
Messi is hoisted in the air by his teammates after winning the Leagues Cup final (Getty Images)Penalties
It's a cruel way to settle a game but it's nothing new for Messi after he won the World Cup with Argentina on penalties. And it was Messi who stepped up first and to calmly score and lead by example. Mukhtar for Nashville followed suit, as did Busquets.
But Randall Leal of Nashville saw his effort saved by Callender. Ulloa had the chance to win it for Miami but he fluffed his lines and his effort was denied by Elliot Panicco.
The scoring continued by both teams until it got to the goalkeepers - Callender did his job but Panicco's effort was saved to hand Miami the title.
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