Messi bags another Inter Miami brace as Jordi Alba makes debut

Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat Orlando City 3-1 in the League Cup round-of-32 on Wednesday night.

The 36-year-old gave his side the lead early in the 7th minute as he scored from close range courtesy of an assist from Robert Thomas Taylor.

The ex-Barcelona and PSG man scored his second on the night in the 72nd minute to propel the David Beckham co-owned club to the quarterfinals of the League Cup.

The World Cup winner has now scored 5 goals in 3 games including a back-to-back brace in his last two games for Inter Miami who were winless in their last 11 matches prior to his arrival.

Messi's former Barca teammate Jordi Alba made his debut for Inter Miami as he came on as second-half substitute in the 64th minute.

Alba has now reunited with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets in the same club.

WDN