There’s magic in the air whenever soccer is played, and sometimes, it’s not just the usual suspects who conjure it up. Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba, a name synonymous with Barcelona’s defensive line, stepped into the spotlight with a Messi-like moment of brilliance that left fans in awe, despite his team’s 3-2 loss to CF Montreal.
In a match that saw Inter Miami’s talisman, Lionel Messi, resting on the sidelines, Alba took it upon himself to fill those giant boots. With the clock ticking down and Miami trailing, Alba connected with a deflected cross and, with the grace of a seasoned striker, volleyed the ball into the top corner of the goal. It was a strike that would have made Messi proud, a moment of pure soccer artistry that had the crowd erupting in cheers. ‘OH MY JORDI ALBAAAAA,’ the Major League Soccer Twitter account exclaimed, capturing the disbelief and delight of soccer fans everywhere.
The game itself was a rollercoaster of emotions. Montreal drew first blood, but Miami fought back to level the score. Then, in a rapid succession, Montreal netted two more, leaving Miami in a precarious position. Alba’s goal in the 80th minute rekindled hope, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. The final whistle confirmed Inter Miami’s first defeat of the season, a bitter pill to swallow after two consecutive wins.
The absence of Messi, Suarez, and Busquets from the starting lineup was palpable. Inter Miami’s coach, Tata Martino, has been vocal about the need to rest his aging stars, particularly with a busy schedule ahead for Messi, both at the club and international levels. ‘I feel that in these last two matches, he has expended too much energy,’ Martino stated, highlighting the importance of managing Messi’s playing time.
The match also highlighted Inter Miami’s Achilles’ heel: set pieces. Montreal capitalized on this weakness, scoring two of their goals from such situations. It’s an area Martino’s team will need to address if they are to bounce back in their upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup match.
Despite the loss, the match was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of soccer. It showed that even without their biggest stars, a team could find moments of brilliance. Alba’s goal was a reminder that magic can come from the most unexpected places, and that even in defeat, there can be moments to savor and celebrate.
After Inter Miami regroups and looks ahead, they will bring with them the memory of Alba’s goal, a strike that will be replayed in highlight reels and discussed by fans. It’s these moments that make soccer the beautiful game it is, and why, no matter the scoreline, there’s always a reason to watch until the very end.
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