One of the most highly anticipated U.S. sporting debuts lived up to expectations and more as Lionel Messi scored a free-kick winner for Inter Miami.
Author: Michael
Sophia Smith had just recorded the best Women’s World Cup debut by someone so young in U.S. women’s national team history—two goals and an assist—when she uttered the words that strike more fear into opponents than even the creepy commercial Nike recently released:
“I feel relieved,” she told Fox. “I was a little bit anxious going into the tournament.”
The U.S.
The U.S. wasn’t its typical clinical best vs. Vietnam, but Smith scored twice and set up the other goal in a fantastic attacking display.
Lionel Messi couldn’t have written a better script.
The Argentine star debuted with MLS club Inter Miami on Friday night and netted the winning goal off a free kick in stoppage time to lift his new team to a 2-1 Leagues Cup victory over Mexican side Cruz Azul in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
It was an electric moment for the sellout, star-studded crowd of approximately 21,000 in attendance at DRV PNK Stadium for one of the most highly anticipated debuts in American soccer history.
The U.S. Women’s National Team easily handled Vietnam 3-0 to win their 2023 Women’s World Cup opener.
Sophia Smith opened the scoring early for the USWNT, slotting in a goal in the 15th minute.
.@Sophsssmith breaks through early and we’re on the board!!!!!
» @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/BXhPMBISay
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 22, 2023
Veteran Alex Morgan had an opportunity to add on with a penalty kick, but had her attempt stopped, relatively easily, by the keeper.
The two-time defending champs were far from perfect in their opener, but they didn’t have to be as Sophia Smith scored two goals and Lindsey Horan added another.
The latest updates and analysis from matchday one of the 2023 Women’s World Cup between defending champs United States and Vietnam.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
In his first game with MLS club Inter Miami, Lionel Messi delivers a stunning game-winning goal
Lionel Messi made his debut for MLS side Inter Miami CF on Friday night, coming on in the 54th minute to a raucous ovation from the capacity crowd DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
It did not take him too much longer to deliver his first magical moment.
Messi scored on a fantastic free kick in the 94th minute to give Miami a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
Lionel Messi could not have asked for a better debut in Major League Soccer.
Messi’s potential debut for Inter Miami was undoubtedly the most anticipated match in MLS history.
So much so that it made watching the opening match of U.S. Women’s National Team’s World Cup campaign a questionable decision.
READ: MORE IMPORTANT SOCCER MATCH FOR AMERICAN FANS: USWNT WORLD CUP DEBUT, OR LIONEL MESSI INTER MIAMI CF DEBUT?
And those that decided to turn into the Inter Miami match against Cruz Azul were certainly not disappointed.
Few players have arrived to MLS with as much fanfare as Lionel Messi. And in his debut Friday with Inter Miami, the Argentine superstar did not disappoint.
Messi began Miami’s group-stage Leagues Cup matchup vs. Cruz Azul on the bench before entering in the 54th minute. The 36-year-old’s highly-anticipated debut appeared to be spoiled when his side’s Liga MX opponents equalized just 10 minutes later.
But no one is ever safe with Lionel Messi in the opposition.