July 25 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored two first half goals and assisted on another in the second to lead Inter Miami to a 4-0 dismantling of Atlanta United and advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup on Tuesday. After coming off the bench to score a dramatic game winner in his debut on Friday night, the World Cup champion from Argentina wasted no time in his first start with the MLS side. Messi slotted home a second in the 22nd minute on a diving cross from teammate Robert Taylor, who notched a brace of his own on a hot night in Miami. After scoring, Messi stopped and pointed from the field at the team co-owner David Beckham, who was watching the game. Messi and fellow Argentinian Almada hugged when Messi was subbed out in the 78th minute and the pair exchanged jerseys after the match.

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Persons: Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Messi, Robert Taylor, David Beckham, Atlanta's, Thiago Almada, Drake Callender, Almada, subbed, Curz Azul, Ballon, Rory Carroll, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Inter Miami, Atlanta United, Leagues, MLS, Manchester United, Miami, Curz, Liga, Thomson Locations: Argentina, Barcelona, Miami, Saudi Arabia, Los Angeles