Messi Brace Sends Argentina Through; Miami Checks the Cracks
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 · 5 min
Messi scored twice for Argentina in a 2-0 win over Austria, sending the defending champions into the Round of 32, while Inter Miami’s MLS Cup win still leaves real questions about defensive margin.
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Show notes
Messi scored twice for Argentina in a 2-0 win over Austria, sending the defending champions into the Round of 32, while Inter Miami’s MLS Cup win still leaves real questions about defensive margin.
In this episode
- Step Back — Miami just beat Vancouver 3-1, but what should we take from that beyond the scoreline — did this run show they can actually defend playoff transitions and set pieces, or were they still relying on Messi and the attack to cover the cracks?
Background sources
- Whitecaps fall short despite effort, heart in MLS Cup loss to Inter Miami - Sportsnet.ca — John Molinaro
- Inter Miami defeats Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win its first MLS Cup — Cbc
- MLS Cup conference finals talking points: Allende outshines Messi - ESPN — Cesar Hernandez and Joseph Lowery
- Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Highlights: Lionel Messi Wins MLS Cup! | FOX Sports — FOX Sports
- A Late Collapse, but Mission Accomplished: Takeaways From Inter Miami's Draw vs. Palmeiras — Si
- Grading Inter Miami’s Historic Collapse Against Rivals Orlando City — Si
- Leo Messi | Inter Miami CF — Inter Miami CF
[](https://www.intermiamicf.com "Inter Miami CF") # Leo Messi #10 • Midfielder • Inter Miami CF * [Profile](/players/lionel-messi/index) * [Career Stats](/players/lionel-messi/stats/index) * [Match Log](/players/lionel-messi/match-log/index) * [News](/players/lionel-messi/news/index) *…