On a sun-drenched afternoon in Fort Lauderdale, Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi turned back the clock to their Barcelona days, orchestrating a footballing masterclass that left Orlando City reeling.
The stage was Chase Stadium, as Suarez and Messi helped Miami put their state rivals to the sword and continue their unbeaten start to the MLS season.
Suárez wasted no time in announcing his arrival to the MLS, netting his first two goals in the league within the opening 11 minutes.
The first goal showcased his predatory instincts; a swift move initiated by Messi found Julian Gressel on the right, whose precise cross was met by Suárez’s outstretched boot, directing the ball into the net with clinical finesse.
Not content with just one, Suárez doubled his tally through a beautifully crafted give-and-go with Gressel, showcasing strength, intelligence, and skill to glide past defenders and coolly slot home.
Messi, added two goals of his own in the second half, further compounding Orlando City’s misery. His first was a simple tap-in after Suárez’s effort ricocheted off the crossbar, a moment of being in the right place at the right time. The second was a perfect header from the Argentine maestro, which more or less put the result beyond any doubt.
