Messi and Suarez combine as Inter Miami beat Real Salt Lake in MLS season opener

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi controls the ball during the MLS opener with Real Salt Lake at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Lionel Messi set up one goal and had a hand in another as Inter Miami weathered a Real Salt Lake storm after the break to emerge with a 2-0 victory in the opening match of the 2024 Major League Soccer season.

Miami dominated the first half in Fort Lauderdale and broke through in the 39th minute when Messi split the defence to find Robert Taylor, whose low shot looked like it had been saved by Zac MacMath before it spun out of his arms and into the net.