Lionel Messi’s inevitable magic seals famous night for Inter Miami and MLS

A spectacular 94th-minute winner sealed a dream debut for the Argentinian at Miami's sold-out home ground, where Messi Mania has reached fever pitch

As soon as I saw the free kick was given, I thought: This is the way it's meant to end,'" a teary-eyed Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham - who knows a thing or two about planting dead balls into top corners - said at full time.

It unfolded just as the owner foresaw, with the absurd inevitability of his new signing's brilliance. In the 94th minute, the debutant Lionel Messi curled in a signature 25-yard strike to secure a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup, a tournament between clubs from MLS and Liga MX.