Argentine star Lionel Messi continued his football creativity, scoring two goals and leading his Inter Miami team to turn the tables on "FC Dallas" by beating them on penalties 5-3 after drawing 4-4 in normal time at the Toyota Stadium in Texas, and reaching the quarterfinals of the American and Mexican League Cup.

Inter Miami delayed by two goals 10 minutes before the final whistle, to reduce the difference through friendly fire after defender Marco Farfan deposited the ball in the goal of his team Dallas by mistake after a free kick carried out by Messi (80), before the latter shot a charming ball from a free kick 20 meters away settled in the top corner of the goal of Dutch goalkeeper Martin Pais (85), forcing recourse to penalties.

Messi, the champion of the World Cup "Qatar 2022", successfully carried out the first penalty, and at a time when Paxton Bumical wasted his attempt to Dallas; the 18-year-old substitute of Argentine origin Benjamin Cremachi, the owner of Inter Miami's third goal, secured the ticket to the quarter-finals by scoring the fifth kick.

Miami-born Kremachi said: "It's amazing what he (Messi) can do.

"He scored almost twice in every game he played, which is impressive."

"You can see our mentality, how things have changed at this club, how we were willing to fight until the last minute, especially with our outstanding players."

Spaniard Nico Esteves coach "FC Dallas" praised the performance of Messi and the charming free kick thanks to which he realized the draw, saying, "It is clear to him that the free kick around that area is like a penalty for another player."

OTRO GOLAZO DE NUESTRO CAPITÁN 🫡 🫡🫡 #DALvMIA | 4.4 pic.twitter.com/aOhBw7LJGZ

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 7, 2023

Messi opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a shot from the outskirts of the penalty area after a pass from newcomer former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, to receive the Miami net 3 goals scored by the other Argentine Facundo Kenyon, Bernard Kamungo, and the first compatriot Alain Velasco respectively in the 37th, 45th and 63rd minutes.

Miami reduced the difference thanks to substitute Kremachi, who followed a ball from Alba a minute after entering the pitch (65), but the Finnish Robert Taylor returned the difference to two goals in favor of Dallas after he accidentally scored in the goal of goalkeeper Drake Callender (68), before Miami equalized and led the meeting to penalties.

Messi, crowned with the Golden Ball for the best player in the world 7 times, raised his tally to 7 goals in 4 matches played in the shirt of Inter Miami since moving to its ranks from Paris Saint-Germain after two years spent in the Parisian capital after a long journey full of achievements with Barcelona.

7' | Jordi ➡️ Messi to put us on the board early in the match 👏👏 #DALvMIA | 0-1 | 📺 #MLSSeasonPass to @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/ZTIM2k819g

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 7, 2023

Miami, which also includes former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquetis in its ranks, achieved its fourth consecutive victory since the arrival of the little "flea" to its ranks, after failing to win a series of 11 games in the league.

Miami Argentine coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said that Messi's charm and result should not hide the obvious shortcomings of his team, "It is clear - after we fell 2-4 down in the 80th minute and then come back that way - that we are very happy with the result."

"But the reality of what we've been through, you shouldn't let us lose sight of the things we have to improve."

On to the next round 👏

Check out tonight's highlights and catch us back in action on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV for the @leaguescup quarterfinals: https://t.co/WxSA3jv2Sp pic.twitter.com/dqUS78kL7I

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 7, 2023