Lionel Messi vs Real Salt Lake 2 Away Wins in a Row 22 04 2026

Making the first visit here in all eyes on Lionel Messi, as is the case wherever he goes alongside his Inter-Miami teammates. Beyond the pomp and circumstances, a matchup of two teams. These would be rested, and a man who certainly deserves his rest. But no rest today, he is coming out to put on a show and delight the fans. The Real Salt Lake want to make sure that's where the entertainment part ends. First half kickoff coming your way here on Apple TV. It's Messi and Inter-Miami all for the better. They are the reigning champions, and they are the traveling show wherever they go. 75,000 plus came out in Empower Field at Mile High. He came out, and we remember Sam Junko will step in just for his second start. That happened for a second time with Philip Quinton in the game against San Diego. It's been a great start to Real Salt Lake, and you should get excited about Xavier Gozo and Diego Luna, but none of it would be possible without Sergeants expecting a big dump of snow here. They had it down in Colorado, so Inter-Miami has been able to check out the seasons on their mountain time zone. Two-step to Paul. Here's Messi. Matchday 8. Lifts it up. Redirects. Looking for Messi as he finds the pocket. He lifts that ball. It's the overlapping run from Noah Allen. Back in the 11. Hasn't had too many appearances. Four starts. Only Floridian in this starting 11 for Inter-Miami. Salvaged by DePaul. Leonel Messi with space and time. Skates to the midfield. Sets up his shot. Blocked by Glad. Mr. RSL. He's fast when he's just hunting in pockets, and how naive is it of Real Salt Lake to get sucked? Both Kaliskin and Spearings. Then Duncan gets stepped out, and it's a good, solid step from Justin Glad. 280th MLS game for Glad, and the 22-year-old call for Messi. Build-up down the right-hand side. Tadeo Agende looking for different options. Ghosting in the box. Leonel Messi. That touch is phenomenal. Brings it down. He's hooking one. Looking for the back post. Second ever meeting between these two clubs. First one down in Fort Lauderdale. Season opener of 2024 won by Inter. Numbers in pink. Petranes has to recognize quicker that transition moment. Messi. Better tonight. Solid. Maybe this change of formation. Messi slots it through for Agende. Here comes Cabral. Allen, you see the possession behind Miami. That's second in MLS. RSL's around 46%. That's 25th out of 30 teams. Messi very deep. Segovia. Maybe his chance to build-up down this right-hand side. Overhead. Strong save. Down to his left-hand side. As DePaul skirts through the circle. Back for Messi. DePaul. Messi in tight quarters. Agende. More than just the challenge. Well, Moura is showing as often as Noah Allen on that opposite side. But Rodrigo DePaul elects to come back in. Climb to number 10. And then a good little swivel. Decided that the foul is in favor of Inter Miami. Coming there for Diego Luna. Goes in to make a big sail for a Brazilian club. But he's back in Major. Messi lets it go. And to pick his head up. Bertarami split out to this left-hand side. Segovia sitting in the pocket. Rodrigo DePaul helping him out. Moura provides the space. You can see, very fluid. Made their way out to Marisol's training facility two days ago. Messi and Caliskan on him. Messi goes down. It's 1v1 battles with number 9s. By the way, it's 8.12 local time. We slept daylight and a good amount of it here. Big Salt Lake City event. Moura better cross. Over Bertarami. Allen coming in off the outside of the boot. DePaul. Desperate defending for Inter Miami. Absolutely tearing apart. They're starting to get something out of their academy. Obviously, Santi Moura has followed his dad. He's no longer with the team. But we're hearing great things about him. He's already picked the ball up, Max. He's already bounced it twice. And he's already picked the sweet spot. Exactly where he wants to strike the ball. The question, is it to the left shoulder or to the right shoulder? Thin air up here in Utah. To the benefit of Lionel Messi. Let's see how it moves. Second ball doesn't get smallest. Greener goals. Week of services. Highlighting how taking steps to address their environmental impact. But right now, this game needs a little bit more from Diego Luna. And that last build up is perfect intent like Lionel Messi. But Diego Luna, it was quiet in that first 20 or so minutes. Slips into a more central role. Three additional minutes they have begun. Messi. DePaul. Lines one up. Redirected. Almost caught a piece of Bertarami. Cross ball. But as he misstruck it, hunting at the back post, Bertarami. Bertarami getting a headed Messi. Oh, and it was Bertarami. Just on the edge of that six. The little comb over. One-on-one moment for Yedlin. Does it well. Messi. Caliskan reaches. Foul. Spearings. Is there time for the free kick? Yellow card for the Dutchman. As he joins Yedlin. In the books. I was always intrigued to see in a match like this, what's the physical capacity of Stein Spearings? He had that opportunity from just outside the 18. He may like this one because of the thin air. Messi goes for Mikael. One-header. Needs to be cleared by Solan. Segovia. Mohan. Action here. It's been a big battle. The midfield right now is being dominated by the visitors. Enter Miami. The question, the problem, and how does Enter Miami continue to pick up right where they left off? And that's on the doorstep of RSL Defense. RSL hopes to be cleaner. They hope to be faster. Will on the road at Charlotte. Keep in mind, Dane Sinclair still waiting to record his first clean sheet in Major League Soccer. Second 45 minutes and the inevitable chess match between the managers will have a big cause and effect in these final 30 minutes. Yannick Bright. He is suspended for this game due to insulting, offensive, abusive language. That's true. DeAndre Yedlin, one of the two players on the field alongside star experience. Sitting on yellow card after that first 45 minutes. Possession. Berthe Rami sliding out from his left-hand side. Big numbers for Miami. DePaul plays Messi. Junker got some work to do. Glad to get some fire. Berthe Rami! Definition of insanity for Real Salt Lake. It's going to allow Lionel Messi to continue to pick his spots. Just sitting in this pocket off the back shoulder in so much time, so much space, and so vulnerable once they turn this ball over. At full speed, the manipulation and possession of Berthe Rami. Trying to keep it on the deck. A little worm burner. Curl in far. Puts six. The collapsing defensive response. An outstanding match. Messi leading the way with options. Cut back. Messi. Blocked by Yedlin. Messi still battling. Spearing's off his keister. Able to make the play. Knocked out by Glad. Messi. Chances at both ends. Spearing gets it back from Glad, who was left upfield. Spearing's dispossessed. By Segovia. Spearing's has got a yellow. Left his foot in there. Free kick. Third understandable, you know. Messi's frustrated. Rodrigo de Paul. Will join him. Messi going to goal. Keeps it low. Picked by Calisgan. Mikael. What will Bryce Harper do about it? Play a big role here in these final 15 minutes. Still has some magic there. Not a 90-minute guy by any means. They're not asking him back to do it tonight. 10-21-5. They've added some seats here for this game. A lot more tickets if it's Salt Lake City. Out starter. The impact is going to be on the back. So demonstrative in his moments. Here's the run from Moura. Great angle. And you can tell he realized that Yandre Yedlin had the pace. Messi. Going to look at each other for the attacking pace of play. How can they link up? How can they reward? Replacement accuracy and a phenomenal goal from Rodrigo de Paul to open up the score line. For Real Salt Lake. Pretty much mop-up duty. Peter Miami have in a couple weeks the questions. A couple weeks ago the questions about the demise of Inter. Messi in Adjunka. RSL as they say. Where the supporting cast can deliver the goods. Messi to seal the deal. If it hasn't been sealed already. Anticipation for Real Salt Lake. Looks for Messi. Skips away. Free kick. Yes. And Messi is not going to leave. Things falling in place for the champs. 90th minute. He's had plenty of practice for free kicks. Twice. Set it up. He knows his sweet spot for assistance. Messi. It looked like the wall broke. They're going to settle in at home. They started their home record with back-to-back. You know the wins are coming. I spoke to Lionel Messi. He goes 180 minute altitude. Back six points to South Florida. And for the fans at New Stadium. Now it's your turn to help your squad. They have shown they are still the team to beat. A lot of questions answered heading into the weekend in Colorado. And here in Salt Lake City. The focus and the attention now turns towards recovery and preparation. This weekend at home against the New England Revolution. But against suspensions because of injuries. Hoyos went in a different direction. And specific to this formation, Max.