Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) advances the ball during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Charlotte FC, Aug 11, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (PHOTO / AP)
WASHINGTON - World Cup winner Lionel Messi scored his eighth goal in five matches with Inter Miami as the Florida outfit reached the Leagues Cup semifinals with a 4-0 home win over Charlotte on Friday.
Josef Martinez put the hosts ahead with a penalty and Finland international winger Robert Taylor doubled the advantage by sweeping home a first-time effort after Deandre Yedlin's cross.
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Adilson Malanda gifted Inter Miami their third goal when he turned the ball into his own net before Argentina captain Messi latched onto Leonardo Campana's cross to side-foot home from the edge of the six-yard box four minutes from time.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi warms up to play the Charlotte FC in a Leagues Cup soccer match, Aug 11, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (PHOTO / AP)
The result at DRV PNL stadium in Fort Lauderdale means Inter Miami will meet Philadelphia away on Tuesday for a place in the final.
In other quarterfinal fixtures on Friday, Nashville won 5-0 at home to Minnesota, Philadelphia edged to a 1-0 home win over Queretaro and Monterrey prevailed 3-2 at Los Angeles FC.
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The Leagues Cup is an annual competition featuring clubs from the United States, Canada and Mexico.