Inter Miami CF Wins 5 Straight to Reach Leagues Cup 2023 Semifinal Against Philadelphia Union.
Inter Miami CF Remains the Favorite Team to Win the Leagues Cup 2023 as They Beat Charlotte FC 4-0 to Reach The Edition First Semifinals
Graphic | Gasner Delvarin Jr Photo | Inter Miami CF
August 14, 2023
Gasner Delvarin Jr, Writer
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - Inter Miami CF secured their spot in the 2023 Leagues Cup semifinals after a dominant 4-0 victory over Charlotte FC, held at DRV PNK Stadium and witnessed by a packed crowd. Lionel Messi and Josef Martínez shine alongside winger Robert Taylor. Inter Miami won their fifth consecutive match and registered their second clean sheet in the tournament.
Right out of the gate, Miami pressed forward and sought an early advantage. Their efforts bore fruit in the 10-minute when Arroyo was fouled inside the box, leading to a penalty. Martínez seized the opportunity, converting the spot-kick by sending the goalkeeper in the wrong direction and placing the ball neatly into the bottom left corner putting Miami ahead a 1-0, which marked Martínez's second goal in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
Undeterred, Inter Miami persisted in the 32nd minute through an exquisite team effort. DeAndre Yedlin, on the right flank, played a perfectly timed low pass into the path of Taylor. The Finnish was well-composed as he executed a first-time right-footed finish, extending Inter Miami's lead before halftime.
Inter Miami in the second half struck again, taking the advantage to 3-0 in the 78-minute with a Charlotte own goal from a cross into the box by second-half substitute Diego Gómez.
As the clock trickled down, Inter Miami's star player once again made his presence felt on the scoreboard.
In the 86-minute, Messi orchestrated a through ball for the second-half substitute Leonardo Campana. The Ecuadorian forward controlled the ball within the box and found Messi in front of the goal, who calmly placed a left-footed shot, sending the ball into the back of the net. This goal marked Messi's eighth in the competition, extended his scoring streak in five consecutive matches placing him alongside Martínez as the top scorer for the team.
Inter Miami CF secured their place in the Leagues Cup semifinals while adding a second clean sheet in this tournament.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami will face the Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup semifinals on Tuesday, August 15, at Subaru Park at 7:00 p.m.
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