In a highly anticipated friendly match, Inter Miami CF faced off against Al Nassr FC, a Saudi Pro League club. The match, dubbed “The Last Dance,” was expected to showcase the rivalry between global superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Ronaldo was unable to participate due to injury, while Messi was named to the bench after nursing a recent knock.
From the start, Al Nassr displayed their dominance, scoring early and often. Just three minutes into the match, Otavio found the back of the net, giving Al Nassr an early lead. Brazilian star Anderson Talisca extended the lead in the 10th minute with a well-taken goal. The highlight of the first half came from Aymeric Laporte, who chipped the ball from 60 yards on a free kick, catching Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender off guard. The first half ended with Al Nassr leading 3-0.
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Al Nassr didn’t let up in the second half, despite some physical scuffles towards the end of the first. Talisca scored his second goal of the match from the penalty spot just five minutes into the second half, further widening the gap. In the 68th minute, Mohammed Maran added to Inter Miami’s misery by scoring the fifth goal for Al Nassr. Talisca completed his hat-trick in style, making it 6-0 and celebrating with Ronaldo’s famous “SIUUUU” celebration, much to the delight of the home crowd.
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The match highlighted significant defensive woes for Inter Miami. The team conceded goals in various ways, including giveaways, poor marking, and a stunning 60-yard free kick goal. The absence of Ronaldo and Messi’s limited involvement couldn’t save Inter Miami from the onslaught. The result was a defensive disaster class that exposed the team’s vulnerabilities.
Among the standout performers for Al Nassr, Anderson Talisca stole the show with his exceptional performance. The Brazilian forward showcased his ability to dominate a game, netting a remarkable hat-trick. Talisca’s contributions played a crucial role in Al Nassr’s commanding victory over Inter Miami.
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For Inter Miami, this defeat was a missed opportunity to prove themselves on the world stage. As an MLS team, these international friendlies offer limited chances to showcase their talent. Unfortunately, Inter Miami squandered their opportunity, leaving themselves open to criticism and ridicule. The embarrassing scoreline will undoubtedly be a talking point among football fans worldwide.
Inter Miami’s preseason tour continues with matches in Asia. They are set to face a Hong Kong XI before taking on Japanese side Vissel Kobe. These matches will provide further opportunities for the team to regroup and improve their performance. The final preseason match will see Inter Miami face Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s boyhood club, upon their return home.