Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored two goals each as Inter Miami thrashed Orlando City 5-0 in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday night.
Florida rivals Orlando City finished second in the Eastern Conference last season and have been considered contenders for this season’s MLS Cup but they were outclassed by Miami from the outset.
Suarez had lacked sharpness and match fitness in his first two outings but the prolific 37-year-old top scorer for Gremio in Brazil last season put aside any doubts about his continuing ability in the final third.
Suarez took just four minutes to get Miami on the scoreboard and his first goal for his new club came in emphatic style, meeting a low cross from Julian Gressel with a thumping first-time shot inside the near post.
Seven minutes later, Suarez doubled his tally with Gressel again the provider to the Uruguayan, who showed good close control in the box before burying into the corner.
Messi shines as Inter Miami win in MLS opener
Miami were in total control and the crowd lapped up some delicious touches from Messi but it was his former Barcelona teammate Suarez who was doing the damage.
Robert Taylor made it 3-0 in the 29th minute after the excellent Gressel split the Orlando City defenders, finding Suarez, who unselfishly picked out Taylor for a simple tap-in.
Messi then struck a trademark, curling free-kick from 30 yards out against the upright and minutes later he provided a classy through ball to Suarez, who found the net. But his hopes of a hat trick celebration were denied by an offside flag.
Miami, with seven points from the opening three games, return to action on Thursday against Nashville in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Speaking after the game, Messi said: “I’m very happy for him, that he was able to score. We were calm anyway, we know what Luis is and what he is capable of doing and everyone knows it.
“He is like that, when you least expect it he solves a game for you like he did today, with the goals and the assists.”
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