NewzMIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup and took the career scoring lead in the Leagues Cup as Inter Miami overcame an early deficit to beat Atlético San Luis 4-2 on a rainy Wednesday night. The match at Nu Stadium was delayed 30 minutes in the second half because of lightning in the area. Messi scored in the 11th and the 44th minutes.
He has 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches — one ahead of Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga for most in the tournament’s four-year history. Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also scored, and Noah Allen had three assists as Inter Miami extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches. Messi returned to Miami’s starting lineup in his second match since the World Cup, where he led Argentina to its second straight final appearance before La Albiceleste lost 1-0 to Spain.
The 39-year-old played 37 minutes as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on Saturday. After being held off the scoresheet against Columbus, it didn’t take Messi long to make an impact on Wednesday. He fired a long cross from Allen past Andrés Sánchez to equalize after David Rodríguez put San Luis ahead with a header four minutes into the match.
Messi finished from close range later in the first half and assisted on Micael’s header in stoppage time. Rafa Llorente also scored for San Luis. Messi led Miami to the Leagues Cup title in 2023 shortly after his arrival with the club.
Inter Miami reached the final again last year, losing 3-0 to Seattle in a match that ended with a brawl involving Luis Suárez. The veteran forward appeared to spit toward a member of the Sounders’ staff and grabbed at least one Seattle player by the neck during the melee, resulting in a six-match tournament suspension. That means Suárez, who has seven goals in the past four matches, was not available Wednesday and will not play in this year’s tournament.
___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Source Inter Miami CF opened its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with a statement, defeating Mexican side Atletico de San Luis 4-2 on Wednesday night behind a first-half masterclass from Lionel Messi and a career night from left back Noah Allen.Miami was without star striker Luis Suarez, who is serving a six-game suspension after spitting on a Seattle Sounders staff member during the 2025 Leagues Cup final.The Herons, champions of the 2023 Leagues Cup, are aiming to reach their third final in four years after falling to Seattle in last season’s championship match.Wednesday also marked the first time Messi and Brazilian midfielder Casemiro started together for Miami.The night could not have started much worse for the Herons.San Luis stunned the home crowd by opening the scoring just three minutes into the match, exposing Miami’s defense before the hosts had a chance to settle into the game.Rather than panic, Miami responded immediately.Just five minutes later, Messi brought the match level. Allen whipped a cross into the penalty area, where the Argentine star met it with a composed left-footed volley that beat the San Luis goalkeeper for his first goal since returning from the World Cup break.The equalizer transformed the atmosphere inside Nu Stadium.With the crowd fully behind them, Miami seized control of possession and dictated the pace for the remainder of the first half.Miami briefly thought it had taken the lead through Pinter, but VAR ruled the goal offside.The disappointment lasted only moments.Venezuelan winger Telasco Segovia restored Miami’s momentum by finishing off another attacking move, giving the Herons a 2-1 advantage just before the first-half hydration break.
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