No Messi, no problem: Campana scores twice as Inter Miami beat Sporting KC – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — With Lionel Messi out for two World Cup qualifiers against reigning champions Argentina, Inter Miami scored two goals from Leonardo Campana to beat Sporting Kansas City 3-2 on Saturday night.

Facundo Farias scored the third goal for Miami (8-14-4), which remains in 14th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

The game was a test for Miami, which is 11-0-1 in Cup and MLS play since Messi’s arrival at the club. He has already scored 11 goals and eight assists with the team. Miami had gone 11 straight without a win before Messi’s debut on July 21.

He scored the winning goal in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador on Thursday and has another international appearance on Tuesday against Bolivia.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to return to Miami next Saturday for his next league game with Atlanta FC.

Messi’s lack was evident in the stands. Although the audience in the DRV-PNK Stadium sang throughout the game and cheered loudly after every goal, there were clearly empty seats.

In addition to Messi, seven other Miami players were called up by their national teams for qualifying and missed the game.

Campana’s second goal in the 45th minute ensured a 1-1 draw. DeAndre Yedlin dribbled deep into the right wing area and centered a pass to a leaping Campana, who headed it past Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia.

Farias made the final score 3-1 with his goal in the 60th minute. Sergio Busquets’ free kick from midfield found an open Farias, who dribbled unhindered into the box and beat Melia with a right-footed shot from 15 yards.

Alan Pulido brought Sporting KC (8-12-8) within one goal in the 78th minute.

Miami fell behind early when Dániel Sallói scored nine minutes into the game. Goalkeeper Drake Callender blocked Felipe Gutierrez’s 25-yard shot but couldn’t clear it. Salloi found the loose ball on the edge of the 6-yard penalty area and converted it with a right-footed shot into the right post.

Miami equalized in the 25th minute with a penalty from Campana. Melia fouled Campana near the 6-yard box when he hit the Miami forward in the neck area. Campana beat Melia with a shot to the left.

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