Lionel Messi scores his first 2 goals since the World Cup as Inter Miami beats San Luis 4-2

MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup and took the career scoring lead in the Leagues Cup as Inter Miami overcame an early deficit to beat Atlético San Luis 4-2 on a rainy Wednesday night.

The match at Nu Stadium was delayed 30 minutes in the second half because of lightning in the area.

Messi scored in the 11th and the 44th minutes. He has 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches — one ahead of Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga for most in the tournament's four-year history.

Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also scored, and Noah Allen had three assists as Inter Miami extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches.

Messi returned to Miami's starting lineup in his second match since the World Cup, where he led Argentina to its second straight final appearance before La Albiceleste lost 1-0 to Spain. The 39-year-old played 37 minutes as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

After being held off the scoresheet against Columbus, it didn't take Messi long to make an impact on Wednesday. He fired a long cross from Allen past Andrés Sánchez to equalize after David Rodríguez put San Luis ahead with a header four minutes into the match. Messi finished from close range later in the first half and assisted on Micael's header in stoppage time.

Rafa Llorente also scored for San Luis.

Messi led Miami to the Leagues Cup title in 2023 shortly after his arrival with the club. Inter Miami reached the final again last year, losing 3-0 to Seattle in a match that ended with a brawl involving Luis Suárez. The veteran forward appeared to spit toward a member of the Sounders’ staff and grabbed at least one Seattle player by the neck during the melee, resulting in a six-match tournament suspension.

That means Suárez, who has seven goals in the past four matches, was not available Wednesday and will not play in this year's tournament.

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Inter Miami midfielder Casemiro (5) battles with Atletico de San Luis forward Rafa Llorente, right, during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia (8) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal past Atletico de San Luis goalkeeper Andres Sanchez (1) during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami defender Micael (14) heads the ball past Atletico de San Luis defender Benjamin Galindo (30) and Inter Miami midfielder Casemiro (5) to score the team's fourth goal during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Atletico de San Luis, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the first half of a Leagues Cup soccer match against Atletico de San Luis, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

CLEVELAND (AP) — New York Mets rookie Jefry Yan jumped high in the air with his feet spread apart, landed on the front of the mound and then slapped the grass with his left hand while briefly going to a knee.

It was an emphatic celebration for the 29-year-old left-hander after striking out the first batter he faced in his major league debut during the Mets' 6-5 win in Cleveland on Wednesday night.

“Honestly, I was really excited. I was also a little nervous,” Yan said through a translator.

Yan's viral moment came after pinch-hitter Angel Martínez took an 88.7 mph slider for a called third strike to open the Guardians sixth. After the leap and slap, Yan stood straight up with his feet together and lifted both arms over his head.

“Once I had him with two strikes I said, you know what, I'm going to throw that slider,” he said. “And if I freeze him, which is exactly what I did, I celebrated accordingly.”

That was already a signature celebration for Yan, who did the same after striking out a batter in a Mets spring training game earlier this year.

After Martínez struck out, the Guardians loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. But Yan escaped without giving up a run with his second strikeout and an inning-ending grounder.

“Once I was able to get out of the inning, I said, you know, I can finally breathe right here," he said.

Mets interim manager Andy Green added: “It’s real stuff. It’s really impressive. To get out of a bases-loaded jam, get your first punchout, just excited for him. He deserves that.”

Yan bounded off the mound, slapping his hand against his glove several times, after the inning ended. Cleveland fans booed as Yan went to the dugout with the Mets ahead 4-3.

“If they want to yell at me, if they want to boo me, they can do whatever they want,” Yan said. “I’m in my zone. And yeah, I’m going to enjoy my game any way that I want to.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets relief pitcher Jefry Yan makes his Major League debut and delivers against the Cleveland Guardians during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

After striking out Cleveland Guardians' Angel Martinez during his Major League debut, New York Mets relief pitcher Jefry Yan reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)