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Lionel Messi maintained his remarkable scoring streak in Major League Soccer on Saturday, scoring twice for the fifth consecutive match to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 win over Nashville.
Just a few days after making history by being the first player to net multiple goals in four successive MLS games, Messi achieved this feat again as Miami progressed in the Eastern Conference standings following their league break for the Club World Cup.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner began the scoring in the 17th minute with a signature left-footed free kick that found a gap in Nashville’s defensive barrier, allowing it to bypass goalkeeper Joe Willis.
Miami was in control during the first half, but just four minutes into the second half, Hany Mukhtar scored with a header to equalise for Nashville.
Messi bagged the winning goal in the 62nd minute, taking advantage of an error by Willis, who miscalculated a pass, setting up the Argentine for the shot.
The two goals—following his two goals in a 2-1 victory over New England on Wednesday—brought Messi’s total to 16 in 16 games this season, tying him with Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who was unable to increase his 16-goal tally on Saturday.
Miami played their third match after returning to MLS following a month-long adventure in the Club World Cup, which concluded with their elimination in the round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain.
With 38 points from 19 matches, they are currently in fifth place in the East, trailing leaders Philadelphia by five points, but they have three games in hand.
Philadelphia ascended to the top after defeating New York Red Bulls 2-0, with goals from Indiana Vassilev and Bruno Damiani. Cincinnati dropped to second place in the East with 42 points after a 4-2 loss to Columbus, while Nashville and Columbus both have 41 points.
Miami’s busy schedule continues on Wednesday against Cincinnati, followed by a match against the New York Red Bulls next weekend.
