Messi connects on half volley against Sporting KC in Champions Cup second leg

Messi connects on half volley against Sporting KC in Champions Cup second leg

Inter Miami CF is only a few weeks into the new season, but Lionel Messi is already in fine form.

The 37-year-old superstar opened the scoring in Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup second leg match against Sporting Kansas City in impressive fashion.

Messi first corralled a Luis Suárez cross via a deft touch with his chest, before letting the ball bounce and firing a half-volley past Kansas City keeper John Pulskamp at the near post. The goal put Miami ahead 2-0 on aggregate in the first round tie.

Messi also found the back of the net in the first leg of the tie, scoring in the 56th minute in frozen conditions at Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Park.

The half-volley marked a continuation of a strong start to Messi’s second full season in Major League soccer. In addition to his goals in each leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup, the veteran forward also tallied a pair of assists in Inter Miami’s opening game of league play against New York City FC last Saturday.

Inter Miami would run away with the tie later in the match, as Tadeo Allende and Suárez both found the back of the net before halftime, extending the home side’s lead to 4-0 on aggregate.