Watch Lionel Messi Score From 30 Yards As Inter Miami Thrash Philadelphia Union To Reach Leagues Cup Final

Lionel Messi scored a brilliant long-range goal on Tuesday as Inter Miami qualified for the 2023 Leagues Cup final by winning 4-1 away at Philadelphia Union.

Messi netted his ninth Miami goal 20 minutes into his sixth game for the MLS club when he aimed a low strike past Philadelphia keeper Andre Blake from 30 yards.

That put Miami 2-0 up at Pennsylvania's Subaru Park.

Josef Martinez had earlier fired Miami into the lead inside the opening three minutes.

Miami led 3-0 by half-time after Jordi Alba scored his first goal for the club in added time.

This was a devastating display of finishing by Miami, who only recorded three shots during the first half.

Philadelphia pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute when Alejandro Bedoya slammed home a shot from seven yards after Miami had failed to clear from a corner kick.

But David Ruiz then restored Miami's three-goal cushion following a DeAndre Yedlin assist seven minutes from the end.

Highlights: Philadelphia Union 1-4 Inter Miami

Miami will face either Monterrey or Nashville in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday.

That will be the 42nd final of Messi's career.

By reaching the final, Miami have gained qualification to the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Messi is the leading scorer in the Leagues Cup.

He netted a stunning 94th-minute winner direct from a free-kick to secure a 2-1 victory over Cruz Azul on his debut on July 21.

Four days later he bagged a brace in a 4-0 thrashing of Atlanta United to see Miami finish top of their group.

He then added two more goals to his tally as Miami beat Orlando City 3-1 in the round of 32.

Miami needed penalties to get past FC Dallas in the next round following a dramatic 4-4 draw. Messi was again on target twice in that game.

A 4-0 win over Charlotte FC followed in the quarter-finals, with Messi on the scoresheet in the 86th minute.