Lionel Messi scored a long-range screamer as Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in penalties

Lionel Messi won his first trophy with Inter Miami by leading them to a penalty shootout victory against Nashville. Messi scored his 10th goal for Inter Miami in only seven games, and he is also their top-scorer this year, after joining in the ongoing summer transfer window. The former PSG and Barcelona attacker put his side ahead in the 24th minute with a long-range screamer into the top corner. Nashville found the equaliser after Fafa Picault scored in the 57th minute. Messi almost won the game for Miami in the 71st minute when his shot from just outside the box shaved the outside of the post. However, the match went to penalties and goalkeeper Drake Callender won it for Inter Miami.

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"The most important thing we had to do is put together a team while we were playing a seven-game tournament, and that's very difficult to do. We now have greater clarity about what the future may hold for us after winning this title in 30 days," the Miami manager said after the match.

"It was very exciting. The draw was a fair result and on penalties is the luck of the champion, which in this case came in our favor," said the Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets.

"I am very happy to win our first title in just one month, the club's first. The team is growing by leaps and bounds and we are very happy," he added.

What happened in the Inter Miami vs Nashville Leagues Cup Final?

Miami's Ecuadorian player Leonardo Campana could have won the game in the final seconds. He rounded Panicco, but from a tight angle could only smash the post. Messi's goal came via Robert Taylor. The Left winger attempted a pass inside but it was blocked. The ball fell to Messi, who drove it past Zimmerman, opening enough space to his left to unleash a long-range screamer from 25 yards out which went into the top corner past the goalkeeper.

In the penalties, all 10 outfield players had to shoot as it became a sudden death. It came down to the goalkeepers. Callender kept his calm with his shot and scored for Miami, and then he denied the opposition goalkeeper and secured a 10-9 shootout victory.