Argentina legend and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, known for scoring some of the most 'unbelievable' free kicks in his inspiring football career, scored a spectacular free kick for his club Inter Miami in waning moments of the match against FC Dallas to make sure that the Leagues Cup elimination game on Sunday night doesn't end without a penalty shootout. Messi's free kick, from just outside the penalty box, went past the FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes and hit the upper corner of the net, late in the 85th minute for a 4-4 tie.
Messi had scored the first goal of the game in the 6th minute to make it 1-0, built up the second goal to make it 3-2, caused the 3rd goal for Inter Miami to make it 4-3 and eventually scored the last free kick to tie the game 4-4, pushing the thrilling encounter into the penalty shootout.
Watch below viral video of Lionel Messi's mesmerizing free kick for Inter Miami against FC Dallas in Leagues Cup elimination game
In the penalty shootout, Inter Miami secured a 5-3 win over Dallas by converting all 5 of their chances. Notably, Messi won his first penalty shootout at club level. The victory helped Inter Miami qualify for the quarterfinals of Leagues Cup, where they will square off against the winner between Charlotte FC and Houston.
"I think it’s not much to say. I think everyone can see,” FC Dallas coach Nico Estévez was quoted as saying by The Canadian Press. "It’s obvious that for him a free kick around there is like a PK for another player. You have to pray that the ball goes out of bounds or he fell in the run to kick the ball."