Leo Messi's magical start to life at Inter Miami continued Wednesday as he netted a brace to help his side beat Orlando City 3-1 in the Leagues Cup.<br /><br />Messi didn't wait long to give Miami the lead in the round of 32 matchups, as he volleyed in a Robert Taylor pass from close range in the seventh minute.<br /><br />However, the hosts' lead would be short-lived as Cesar Araujo pounced on a loose ball 10 minutes later, quieting a South Florida crowd that once again packed DRV PNK Stadium to see its Argentine superstar.<br /><br />And while the Argentine delivered another goal later in the match, his most memorable moment of the night may have been an assist - of sorts.<br /><br />In the second half, Josef Martinez was brought down in the box while chasing a through ball from Benjamin Cremaschi.<br /><br />And Messi deferred to his teammate Martinez from the penalty spot, allowing the Venezuelan to get on the scoresheet in the 51st minute to restore a 2-1 lead for Miami.<br /><br />The goal came after Martinez stutter-stepped his way to the penalty spot and was the striker's first since Messi's arrival in South Beach. <br /><br />From there, Miami was in control the rest of the way, and Messi capped off another devastating move in the 72nd minute to put the game on ice. <br /><br />The 36-year-old, who now has five goals in his first three Miami games, scored another volley from close range - this time with his right foot - as Martinez teed him up following another accurate cross from Taylor. <br /><br />While the hot start of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner can't be considered surprising, it's been notable how his teammates have upped their play since his arrival.<br /><br />Cremaschi, just 18 years old, put in a composed and intelligent midfield performance vs. Orlando, while Taylor continued his scorching run of form, notching his fifth goal involvement in the last three games. <br /><br />'He just gives everybody confidence around him,' Messi's teammate, full-back DeAndre Yedlin, told Apple's MLS Season Pass after the game.<br /><br />'You know you can give him balls in difficult situations and he's gonna make something out of it. <br /><br />'And I think on the flip side of it, the teams that we're playing against, it puts a bit of fear in their eyes so they're on their heels a bit, they're dropping back a bit more and it gives us a little bit more space to play.'<br /><br />Messi alone may be enough to scare opponents but he arrived in Miami with help.<br /><br />Sergio Busquets debuted alongside him against Cruz Azul, while another ex-Barcelona teammate, Jordi Alba, made his first Miami appearance vs. Orlando.<br /><br />Alba entered the match in the 64th minute for Noah Allen and helped Miami see out the final half hour. <br /><br />With the win, the hosts moved on to the Leagues Cup round of 16, where they'll travel to Texas to face FC Dallas.
