Inter Miami defeated Olimpia in the preseason friendly series thanks in large part to Lionel Messi’s outstanding performance.

In a friendly match in Honduras on the morning of February 9, Inter Miami defeated Olimpia 5-0. Messi’s squad dominated the game and scored goals early on, demonstrating their total dominance.

Messi was the focal point of Inter Miami’s intense pressure from the very first few minutes of play. The Argentine striker nearly opened the score with a powerful cut-in shot in the 17th minute, but it went wide. Inter Miami broke the impasse ten minutes later. After deftly breaking the offside trap, Luis Suarez passed to Messi, who tapped the ball into the empty net with ease. Inter Miami played with increased energy after scoring this goal.

Messi continued to leave his mark in the 44th minute, making a deft move in the penalty area and then setting up Redondo to double the lead to 2-0. Messi beat the goalie during the injury time in the first half and set up Noah Allen for the third goal with a superb assist.

Inter Miami continued to assault at a high pace in the second half. Suarez’s precise finish through the goalkeeper’s groin in the 54th minute gave the team a 4-0 lead. Then, in the 62nd minute, Messi was substituted off and Morales took his place.

Inter Miami kept up the pressure even without Messi. The score was 5-0 when replacement Ryan Sailor scored an easy goal following a cross from a teammate in the 79th minute.

Olimpia did not produce any really hazardous possibilities and were totally mired in their quest for an equalizer. The strength and unity of Messi, Suarez, and his teammates on the Inter Miami team are amply displayed by this victory.