De Paul shines on debut as Lionel Messi provides two assists

Inter Miami overcome Mexico's Atlas to secure winning start in the Leagues Cup. Until now, every North American club victory in the competition had come via a penalty shootout.

The match was packed with chances. De Paul, who debuted without a single training session alongside his new teammates and fresh from a month's holiday, showcased his quality and the potential connection he could forge with Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi.

A link-up between Messi and De Paul created the first chance in the 15th minute, with a cross from Inter's new signing that Tadeo Allende sent over the bar. The former Celta player had another chance minutes later after a superb assist from the Argentine, but his shot was saved by Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.

Three minutes later, Rocco Ríos responded also with a crucial save to deflect a close-range header from Eduardo Aguirre. Both teams went into the break without scoring, although they each had chances in the final moments. First, Arturo González tried a soft shot that Ríos caught smoothly.

For Inter, a move started down at the right flank by Luis Suárez ended up at the feet of Messi, who set up Jordi Alba. Alba floated a first-time ball into the area for the Uruguayan, who tried to beat Vargas with a first touch but sent his thunderous shot against the crossbar.

Messi settles the match

The disappointment did not last long for Inter. In the 60th minute, Sergio Busquets latched onto a clearance from the Atlas FC defence and threaded a pass to leave Messi clean through against Vargas. The Argentine, unselfish, squared the ball to Telasco Segovia, who tapped in the opening goal.

Atlas FC's efforts to find an equaliser paid off in the 80th minute. A cross from Sergio Hernández was poorly cleared by Maximiliano Falcón, leaving the ball loose in the area for Rivaldo Lozano to pounce and make it 1-1.

Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Pineda - who had clashed during the match - were already preparing the list of penalty takers when Inter found the 2-1. It came with a great play in the 96th minute by Jordi Alba, Messi and Suárez. Leo, once again capitalising on Vargas's advance, this time assisted Marcelo Weigandt, who finished with ease. The assistant initially raised his flag for offside, but the VAR review showed that Weigandt was millimetres behind the ball.