Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino is in awe of Lionel Messi’s free-kick ability after the Argentine helped his team in a 4-4 (5-3 on penalties) victory in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 match against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium, Texas on Monday.
Messi, 36, scored two incredible goals including an 85th-minute free-kick that helped his team take the game to penalties.
"It is true that we count on the best player in the world, and you can't ignore that. Many times there is a free kick in that sector and only with him, and it happens that you have the sensation that he is going to score,” Martino said.
“A free kick is not something that is going to end up being a goal – 90% of the time, it is not a goal," he added. "But when he has it, it’s the opposite: a 10% chance that it won't and a 90% chance that it is. So we have to take advantage of that.”
Miami had a great with Messi scoring just in the sixth minute but the lead did not last enough as Dallas’ Facundo Quignon scored an equalizer in the 37th minute.
Dallas’ lead was then doubled by Bernard Kamugo in the 45th minute just before half-time.
After Alan Velasco scored third for his side it seemed all over for Messi’s side but they pulled one back thanks to the 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi scoring with an easy finish on Jordi Alba’s assist.
Problems for Miami did not end as Robert Taylor, one of the best players in the team, scored an own goal just three minutes after Cremaschi’s goal.
Miami continued with their never giving up mentality and forced an own goal by Dallas’ Marco Farfan in the 80th minute.
And then, just five minutes after Farfan’s blunder, Messi Magic took place and the Argentine footballer equalized the game with a stunning free-kick leaving no chance for Maarten Paes to save the ball.
The match went to penalties which Miami won 5-3. Dallas’ Paxton Pomykal missed his penalty which resulted in his team’s defeat.
It must be noted that Martino and Messi worked together previously at FC Barcelona in the 2013-14 season.