Messi shines again with Miami, scores twice, and wins over Atlanta

Argentine legend Lionel Messi's follow-up performance against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup showed the impact that one player scores twice in a 4-0 win over Atlanta. Messi contributed to his team's victory, scored twice, and had an assist in his first start for Miami, bringing his total to three goals in two games. Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead by halftime, the first such lead in club history. Messi missed his first attempt but put back the rebound to give Miami a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute of the first half. Messi added another goal on a counterattack in the 22nd minute to double the margin with an assist from Robert Taylor, who scored Miami's third to give the team a 3-0 advantage at halftime of the Leagues Cup match. Taylor scored the final goal for Miami after the break with an assist from Messi, who was substituted in the 78th minute to a rousing ovation from the home crowd.