Messi, Inter Miami beat Universitario in PKs after scoreless tie as 80,000 watch in Peru
Lionel Messi received a hero's welcome from 80,000 fans at sold-out Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday night, as Inter Miami won its preseason match against Universitario in a penalty kick shootout.
The game remained scoreless after regulation and went directly to PKs. All five Inter Miami players made their shots, starting with Julian Gressel, followed by 17-year-old Santi Morales, Little Havana native David Ruiz, Key Biscayne native Benja Cremaschi, and then Yannick Bright converted the fifth to seal the victory.
'I was so happy to be here, playing my first match of the preseason,' said Cremaschi, who missed the preseason opener in Las Vegas because he was with the U.S. national team. 'The atmosphere was amazing. I'm happy I could come in and contribute and we're happy with the win. The people of Peru were all over the place, in the hotel, in the stadium. We know the people that Leo moves and it's incredible every single day we live it.'
Cremaschi entered the game at the 65-minute mark, replacing Argentine attacker Tadeo Allende, who made his Inter Miami debut after being signed on loan from Spanish club Celta Vigo.
The reception for Messi was quite different from the one he received from a large segment of Mexican fans who were rooting for Club America against Inter Miami in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Those fans taunted the Argentine star, prompting him to make a '3-0' gesture with his hands when he scored, comparing the number of World Cup titles won by the two countries.
Messi played 73 minutes against Universitario before being replaced by Robert Taylor. Luis Suarez also came out in the 73rd minute, replaced by Gressel and Sergio Busquets went out as Ruiz went in. Jordi Alba went to the bench at the 80-minute mark, replaced by Ian Fray. Morales went in for Fafa Picault in the 80th minute, Ryan Sailor went in for Toto Aviles, and Bright for Fede Redondo.
Inter Miami has won both of its preseason games under new coach Javier Mascherano, both in penalty kicks. The Americas Preseason Tour continues Sunday with a 5 p.m. game against San Miguelito in Panama City and then heads to Honduras for a Feb. 8 game against Olimpia. Both games will be streamed on intermiamicf.com
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