Inter Miami visited New York Metropolis FC at Citi Discipline with an opportunity to safe a spot within the 2025 Main League Soccer playoffs. Already answerable for the match, Lionel Messi delivered a superb brace with a cultured chip and a composed right-footed end.
The Herons gained the sting late within the first half, with Messi concerned within the build-up. Within the forty third minute, he slipped a superbly timed by ball into area for Baltasar RodrÃguez, who calmly beat the keeper in a one-on-one to interrupt the impasse. Miami’s lead would later be prolonged by Messi himself.
Within the 74th minute, with Miami dictating the tempo, Sergio Busquets break up the strains with a pinpoint lengthy move to Messi. One-on-one with goalkeeper Matthew Freese, the Argentine icon coolly lifted the ball over him to make it 2-0, all however sealing Inter Miami’s playoff spot.
Then, within the 82nd minute, NYC‘s Justin Haak fouled Rodrigo De Paul contained in the field, leaving referee Filip Dujic no selection however to award a penalty. Messi handed the ball to Luis Suárez, who marked his return with a assured strike from the spot to place Miami up 3-0.
Simply three minutes later, Messi produced one ultimate second of brilliance. Choosing up the ball on the suitable, he minimize inside, used Suárez’s run as a decoy, and fired a low right-footed shot to the far publish, capping the night time at 4-0.
With three factors secured at Citi Discipline, Inter Miami climbed to 3rd place within the Japanese Convention with 55 factors from 29 matches. Holding two video games in hand over Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati, the Herons stay answerable for their very own future within the race for the 2025 Supporters’ Defend.
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Messi provides one other MLS file
Messi has already rewritten the MLS file books since his arrival, with most milestones reflecting his on-field dominance. Now, after one other dazzling efficiency with two objectives and an help, the Argentine has turn out to be the primary participant in league historical past to file a minimum of 35 purpose contributions in back-to-back seasons.
Regardless of health setbacks limiting his minutes in 2024, Messi nonetheless tallied 20 objectives and 16 assists, incomes league MVP honors. In 2025, his stage has not dipped — by 23 matches, he has racked up 24 objectives and 11 assists, with loads of possibilities so as to add to his whole within the ultimate 5 regular-season matches and the playoffs.
