Lionel Messi has scored two goals in six of his last seven matches for Inter Miami.
After a one-game break, Messi was back to his scoring ways, netting a brace in the match following his recent record run. He also assisted another goal, playing a key role in his team’s big win.
In Sunday’s MLS game (Bangladesh time), Inter Miami thrashed New York Red Bulls 5-1 on their opponent’s turf.
Miami conceded an early goal but responded with a goal fest, attacking relentlessly. Alongside Messi’s brace, Telasco Segovia also scored twice, while Jordi Alba added a leveling goal before them.
This marks Messi’s sixth match with two goals in his last seven MLS appearances. He didn’t score in Thursday’s loss to Cincinnati, breaking his streak. Before that, he had scored two goals in five consecutive matches, setting a new record.
The match started with New York taking the lead in the 14th minute when Alexander Hack scored from a corner, cleverly lifting the ball past defenders.
Within 10 minutes, Miami equalized through Alba, who finished a brilliant defense-splitting pass from Messi with a powerful angled shot.
Three minutes later, Messi chipped a delicate ball toward Alba just outside the box. Alba’s first touch found Segovia, who finished with a precise strike.
In the third minute of first-half injury time, Segovia scored his second goal with a superb shot from the edge of the box, extending Miami’s lead.
After the break, Messi scored his first goal of the match in the 60th minute. Sergio Busquets delivered a perfect long ball from their half, and Messi controlled, dribbled past the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net.
In the 75th minute, Luis Suarez whipped in a curling cross from the left flank. Messi chest-controlled the ball, fooled a defender with a subtle touch, and finished with a gentle left-footed shot to make it 5-1.
With 18 goals in 18 league games, Messi has returned to the top of the goal-scorers’ chart, tied with Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who also has 18 goals.
Following the big win, Inter Miami sits fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference with 41 points from 21 matches. Cincinnati leads the table with 48 points from 24 games.
