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Lionel Messi netted two goals and provided an assist as Inter Miami overwhelmed New York City FC 4-0 on Wednesday, securing a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs.
In another outstanding display, Messi took sole possession of the Major League Soccer scoring lead, reaching 24 goals in 23 appearances—two ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.
Luis Suarez successfully converted a penalty for Inter as he made his return following a three-game suspension for spitting at a Seattle staff member after Inter’s defeat to the Sounders in the Leagues Cup final.
Baltazar Rodriguez also contributed a goal for Miami, as they clinched their playoff position emphatically.
Inter was maintaining a narrow 1-0 advantage at the rain-soaked Citi Field, the home of Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, when Messi produced a characteristic goal in the 74th minute.
Receiving a pass from Sergio Busquets, Messi surged into the penalty area, dodged a defender, and delicately chipped the ball over Matt Freese while the New York goalkeeper lunged at his feet.
After Suarez extended the lead to 3-0 from the penalty spot, Messi found the net again in the 86th minute with a precise shot from an angle on the right side of the penalty area into the bottom left corner.
At the start, Inter struggled in the unusual setting of the converted baseball field, but they seized the lead in the 43rd minute through Rodriguez.
Busquets set up Messi, who delivered a sharp through ball to the advancing Rodriguez. The 22-year-old Argentine burst into the box and confidently placed a low shot past Freese. Up to that point, New York had the better opportunities.
Thiago Martins forced a save from Oscar Ustari with a header in the 21st minute.
Just one minute later, NYCFC was thwarted again as Aiden O’Neill’s long-range effort was blocked, and in the 29th minute, Nicolas Fernandez struck the right post. Ten minutes later, Freese stopped Messi’s attempt, but Miami eventually capitalised on New York’s inability to convert chances.
Miami currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind Philadelphia, the leaders of the East, with two games in hand, keeping them in contention for the Supporters’ Shield awarded to the team with the best overall record in the regular season.
Messi, who is participating in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second time, has recorded goals and assists in three consecutive matches and has positioned himself as a contender for the 2025 Most Valuable Player award.
