LIONEL Messi continued his sensational start to his American adventure in the early hours of today when he scored twice to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Orlando City in a Leagues Cup round of 32 clash.
The Argentina captain has now scored in his third consecutive match for Inter Miami as his Major League Soccer team progressed into the round of 16 of the Leagues Cup.
Messi scored on his debut almost two weeks ago when he came on as a substitute and netted with a last-gasp free-kick to earn Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul.
The former Barcelona superstar then bagged a brace in the 4-0 victory over Atlanta United last week.
Kick-off was delayed by 95 minutes this morning because of a thunderstorm, but once the match began, Messi was right into it and opened the scoring in the seventh minute.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner chested down the ball off a Robert Taylor chip and volleyed home from inside the box.
Orlando equalised 10 minutes later when Cesar Araujo pounced on a loose ball off a corner and fired it home, but Inter Miami were back in front three minutes into the second half when Josef Martinez converted a penalty.
Taylor and Martinez then combined in the 72nd minute to set up Messi for a right-footed finish from close range as Inter Miami closed out the win.
Messi and Inter Miami will next face FC Dallas, who beat Mexican side Mazatlan 2-1.
