Lionel Messi’s goal and dazzling assist finally earned Inter Miami a first win at their new stadium Sunday, beating the Portland Timbers 2-0.<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old Argentine icon confounded the Timbers<\/a>‘ defence all night long<\/a> in a timely reminder of the danger he still poses at the World Cup, which kicks off in less than a month.<\/p>\n Messi<\/a> struck first, starting and finishing a slick team goal for the defending Major League Soccer champions on the half-hour mark.<\/p>\n Messi laid off the ball to Luis Suarez<\/a>, who found Telasco Segovia<\/a> with a through ball. Segovia’s instinctive backheel landed back at the feet of Messi, who swept it into the far corner from close range.<\/p>\n Ten minutes later, fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul<\/a> romped up the right flank, finding Messi who played a one-two with Suarez.<\/p>\n The eight-time Ballon d’Or<\/a>-winner then slalomed his way into the box, through four defenders, before using the outside of his left foot to tee up German Berterame for a tap-in.<\/p>\n Messi missed chances to add to his tally in a slower and goalless second half, curling a left-foot strike from outside the box just inches wide of the post.<\/p>\n And he nearly added a stunning free kick deep into stoppage time, denied by a superb James Pantemis<\/a> save, who dove at full stretch and barely tipped the ball away from the top corner.<\/p>\n It was the fifth home game at the gleaming, purpose-built Nu Stadium, which was opened to great fanfare last month.<\/p>\n Until now, the 27,000-capacity arena had witnessed three frustrating draws and a humiliating Miami<\/a> collapse from 3-0 up to lose 4-3 to Orlando City<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite their recent struggles at home, the win sends Inter Miami top of the Eastern Conference, one point clear of Nashville SC<\/a>, who have two games in hand.<\/p>\n The World Cup, being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, kicks off June 11.<\/p>\n