Lionel Messi Serves Up Two Assists As Inter Miami Beat LAFC In Front Of Prince Harry And Leonardo DiCaprio
Inter Miami recorded victory no.10 of the Lionel Messi era on Sunday night by winning 3-1 away at reigning Major League Soccer champions LAFC.
Messi was unable to get on the scoresheet personally at BMO Stadium - thanks to two fine saves from former Miami keeper John McCarthy in the first half - but the 36-year-old still dominated in front of a star-studded crowd and provided two excellent assists.
The stands were packed with A-listers, including Prince Harry, Owen Wilson, Mario Lopez, Edward Norton, Selena Gomez, Tyga and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Prince Harry (left) and Leonardo DiCaprio (right) were both keen spectators as Lionel Messi's Inter Miami won 3-1 at LAFC on Sunday night
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Those celebrity eyes were all fixated on Messi but two other Argentines combined to open the scoring in the 14th minute.
Facundo Farias netted the first goal of his MLS career with an unusual sliding finish from the corner of the 18-yard box following a long-range through pass by Tomas Aviles.
If that goal was made in Argentina then Miami's second had surely been prepared in Barcelona.
Miami's three former Barca stars combined beautifully to make it 2-0 six minutes into the second half.
Sergio Busquets beat the LA press with a pass that found Messi in the center circle. Time appeared to stand still as Messi turned and waited for Jordi Alba to make an overlapping run down the left. Messi then threaded a perfect ball into the path of Alba, who did not need to break his stride before slotting coolly past McCarthy.
That was Messi's 360th career assist.
His 361st arrived in the 83rd minute after he intercepted the ball on the halfway line. Messi dribbled forward for 35 yards before playing a square pass to tee up substitute Leonardo Campana.
Campana's third goal in four games made it 3-0 to Miami shortly before Ryan Hollingshead headed in a late consolation goal for the home team.
Miami's latest victory took Messi and Co to within eight points of ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Herons have nine regular season fixtures left to play, while most of their rivals for an MLS playoff spot only have seven games remaining.
Miami will be without Messi for next week's home match against Sporting Kansas City as he will be on international duty with Argentina.
