Lionel Messi showcased his scoring prowess once again in the MLS, netting twice to fuel Inter Miami's impressive 4-1 comeback victory against the New England Revolution.
Despite an early setback for Miami, with New England's Tomas Chancalay striking just 40 seconds into the game, Messi's brilliance shone through.
With a crowd of over 65,612 packing Gillette Stadium, Messi did not disappoint the eager fans. His first goal, in the 32nd minute, came from a pinpoint pass by Robert Taylor, demonstrating his lethal finishing ability.
The Argentine maestro wasn't done yet; in the 68th minute, he capitalised on a sublime assist from former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets to put Miami ahead.
As the match progressed, Messi continued to dictate the rhythm, setting up opportunities for his teammates. Substitute Benjamin Cremaschi extended Miami's lead to 3-1 in the 83rd minute after Messi's shot was parried out, and then Luis Suarez sealed the victory with a clinical finish, courtesy of a pass from Messi.
Miami's recent success, including three consecutive wins since their CONCACAF Champions Cup exit, reflects Coach Gerardo Martino's vision of a cohesive team. Martino praised the squad's resilience, especially after their setback against Monterrey, emphasising their growing solidarity.
Meanwhile, New England coach Caleb Porter acknowledged Messi's impact, lamenting his defenders' lapses that allowed Messi to capitalise on crucial moments. Despite limiting Messi's touches early on, Porter recognised Messi's ability to seize opportunities when given space, attributing Miami's success to his brilliance.
In other MLS action, Christian Benteke stole the show for D.C. United with a brace in their 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders, while Real Salt Lake claimed the top spot in the Western Conference by handing the Philadelphia Union their first defeat of the season.
