Lionel Messi scores twice as Inter Miami defeats Orlando City in the League Cup.

Lionel Messi continues to score frequently while adjusting to a new squad.

Messi scored for the third time in three games and had his second consecutive multi-goal outing for Inter Miami in a 3-1 win over Orlando City on Wednesday night.

"Something I said early on when we started, with him, the most difficult things have become easier," Inter Miami coach Tata Martino explained. "However, we're talking about a player who scores 40 goals per season at the highest level of competition."

Thunderstorms caused a 95-minute delay in the League Cup Round of 32 match.

Messi scored seven minutes into the game, then added another in the 72nd. Since his highly anticipated MLS debut on July 21, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has five goals in three games.

While eluding the Orlando City defence, Messi intercepted a ball from Robert Taylor on his chest, dribbled a few yards into the 6-yard box, and completed a shot that dropped under the crossbar.

Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead on the goal, but Orlando equalised 11 minutes later.

Messi scored again, this time off a centering pass from Josef Martinez, flicking a right-footed drive inside the left post to put Inter Miami up 3-1.

"It is not illogical to think that he has scored five goals in three matches," Martino stated. "Sometimes I think we overdo it with the adjectives." It all boils down to who is the finest player in the world."

Martino was also keen to point out that Messi's second strike on Wednesday came from his right foot, rather than his famed left foot, which has scored from all angles in various scenarios.

"He's been doing the same thing for 17-18 years," Martino explained. "He stated that he came here to compete and win. He is carrying out his promise."

Inter Miami advances to the tournament's Round of 16 against Dallas FC.

Inter Miami was also given a fright early in the second half when Mauricio Pereyra of Orlando clashed with Messi. Messi stayed on the ground for a few minutes, favouring his jaw.

Messi drew his first yellow card with Inter Miami in the 21st minute for a heavy foul.

Jordi Alba, a former Barcelona colleague of Messi's, made his Inter Miami debut in the 64th minute.

The game was supposed to start at 8 p.m., but it didn't due of the weather.

Messi and his Inter Miami colleagues warmed up on the DRV PNK Stadium pitch 45 minutes before kickoff. The torrential rains started around 20 minutes later.

Messi and his teammates returned for a second set of pre-game warm-ups after the stadium personnel drained water puddles near midfield.

Messi has not faced bad weather in his first two League Cup games since joining the MLS team. He scored the game-winning goal against Cruz Azul and added two more against Atlanta United.

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