Lionel Messi scores again as Inter Miami sail into Leagues Cup semi-finals

Lionel Messi continued his scoring streak as he helped Inter Miami seal a 4-0 victory over Charlotte FC in their Leagues Cup quarter-final in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Argentine slotted in Miami's fourth goal in the 86th minute, making it eight goals in five games for his new club.

Josef Martinez and Robert Taylor scored before halftime, and Messi also helped create a second-half own goal that put the result beyond doubt.

Miami have won all five games since the Argentine superstar's debut in the competition contested between all 47 teams in MLS and Mexico's Liga MX.

Miami will travel north to face the Philadelphia Union for Tuesday's semi-final after they beat Mexican team Queretaro 2-1.

Watched by Argentina national coach Lionel Scaloni, Messi had a quiet game but was still able to find the target.

"We kept control of the ball for longer spells and I think there was only one clear chance from the opponent. Other than that I think we didn't suffer defensively," coach Gerardo Martino said.

"It's very difficult for us not to score goals that's why we talk a lot about keeping a cleansheet because that's almost a guarantee of being able to win the game," he said.

It was the second consecutive game and third time in four outings in which Miami scored four goals, part of the massive turnaround of team that is in last place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.

“It’s beautiful to play with each other again,” said midfielder Sergio Busquets, a former Messi teammate with Barcelona.

hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66