Lionel Messi provided two assists, including one in the final seconds of the match, to help Inter Miami defeat Atlas 2-1 in the opening game of the Leagues Cup on Wednesday night.
This was Messi’s first match after he and Jordi Alba were suspended for one game by Major League Soccer for not participating in the All-Star Game. He delivered a decisive pass to Marcelo Weigandt for the winning goal in the final minute of stoppage time.
Messi also assisted Telasco Segovia’s goal, which opened the scoring in the 58th minute.
Rivaldo Lozano scored the equalizer for the Guadalajara side in the 82nd minute, before Weigandt netted the winner in the 96th minute — a goal that was confirmed by VAR after initially being ruled offside.
That brings Messi’s total to five assists in July. He was named Major League Soccer Player of the Month after scoring eight goals and helping Inter Miami record four wins, one draw, and one loss in league play.
Argentinian midfielder Rodrigo De Paul made his debut for Inter Miami. De Paul, Messi’s national teammate, officially signed with the club last week.
