August 07, (THEWILL) – The Toyota Stadium was a stage of excitement as FC Dallas and Miami went head-to-head in a riveting encounter that concluded with a 4-4 draw, eventually favouring Miami in a tense penalty shootout.
The spotlight unmistakably belonged to the legendary Lionel Messi, who brought his exceptional skills to the aid of Miami, netting two goals and contributing to another with a clinical assist. Dallas underscored their competitive spirit as well, with Alan Velasco, Bernard Kamungo, and Facundo Quignon finding the back of the net to put the pressure on Miami.
From the very beginning, the match brimmed with intensity. FC Dallas came close to a breakthrough in the 3rd minute when Bernard Kamungo’s header was thwarted by an offside call. Yet, Miami swiftly retaliated, with Messi driving home a goal past Maarten Paes to grab an early lead, a verdict validated by a video review. The contest remained closely fought as the first half unfolded.
Dallas managed to level the scores, as Quignon executed a flawless volley, capitalising on Marco Farfan’s well-executed assist. The balance of the game teetered both ways, and Dallas surged ahead just before half-time, courtesy of a swift counterattack orchestrated by Velasco, culminating in Kamungo’s well-placed shot.
The thrill of the match persisted into the second half, with Dallas extending their lead through Velasco’s precise free-kick. Nevertheless, the resilient Miami side responded swiftly, as Ben Cremaschi seized the moment and made the most of a Messi assist. Dallas once again reinstated their two-goal advantage via an own-goal by Miami’s Robert Taylor. But, Messi’s brilliance came to the forefront once more, this time with a free-kick goal that added to the tally.
The electrifying contest spilled into the penalty shootout, where Miami emerged victorious with a 5-3 scoreline. As the curtains close on the enthralling Leagues Cup journey, both sides turn their attention towards League play. The upcoming weeks offer a well-earned break before their next encounters in the early hours of Monday, August 21. Dallas journey eastward to face Philadelphia Union, while Miami are at home to Charlotte FC.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
