Messi delivers a precise set-piece cross into the box, where Maximiliano Falcón’s header from the centre of the area flies just over the bar. The chance highlights Messi’s dead-ball delivery early in the match.

Messi swings in a cross from the left, finding Jordi Alba outside the box, whose left-footed shot is blocked by the LAFC defense. The sequence shows Messi orchestrating play from wide areas.

Deep in his own half, Messi carries the ball under pressure and draws a foul, winning a free kick to relieve Inter Miami’s defensive pressure.

Messi unleashes a left-footed effort from outside the box that is saved centrally by Hugo Lloris after a neat build-up and pass from Jordi Alba.

Messi wins a free kick in the attacking half after driving forward and being brought down, giving Inter Miami a dangerous set-piece opportunity.

Messi twice tries his luck with left-footed strikes from outside the box in quick succession, but both attempts are blocked by LAFC defenders before reaching the goal.

Messi levels the score with a clinical left-footed shot from the centre of the box, picking out the top right corner to make it 1–1.

From Messi’s corner delivery, Federico Redondo meets the cross with a header from the left side of the six-yard box that skims just over the bar, narrowly missing.

Messi earns another attacking-half free kick after being fouled while trying to advance Inter Miami’s attack.

Messi threads a clever pass to Luis Suárez on the right side of the box, whose right-footed shot is saved low at the bottom right corner by Lloris.

From Messi’s layoff, Telasco Segovia hits a right-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked by the LAFC back line.

Messi drops deep and again wins a free kick in the defensive half, using his close control to draw a foul and slow LAFC’s momentum.

Messi delivers a dangerous cross to Luis Suárez, whose header from the right side of the six-yard box is tipped over and saved at the top centre of the goal by Lloris.

Messi calmly converts from the spot with a left-footed strike down the centre of the goal, extending Inter Miami’s lead to 3–1.

Late in the match, Messi wins a free kick in the attacking half after being fouled, helping Inter Miami manage the closing minutes.