Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami made it back-to-back MLS wins with a narrow 3-2 victory over DC United.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
0' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs D.C. United
10' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs D.C. United
24' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs D.C. United
35' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 1-0 D.C. United (Tadeo Allende)
52' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 1-1 D.C. United (Christian Benteke)
55' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs D.C. United
60' Highlight from Inter Miami CF vs D.C. United
66' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 2-1 D.C. United (Lionel Messi)
72' Penalty Missed! (Mateo Silvetti)
82' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs D.C. United
85' GOAL! Inter Miami CF 3-1 D.C. United (Lionel Messi)
88' Match Event for Inter Miami CF vs D.C. United
Match Report
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took his league tally for the season to 22 goals, helping Javier Mascherano's side edge a five-goal thriller at Chase Stadium.
Messi also provided an assist for compatriot Tadeo Allende, with the latter latching onto his team-mate's sublime throughball to break the deadlock in the 35th minute.
However, Christian Benteke got DC back on level terms seven minutes in the second half, heading in from Brendan Servania's outswinging cross.
Nevertheless, Messi restored the hosts' lead midway through the period, receiving the ball on the turn from Jordi Alba before slotting home.
Miami squandered a great chance to make it 3-1 in the 72nd minute when Mateo Silvetti, who was brought down by goalkeeper Luis Barraza, rattled the crossbar from the penalty spot.
Yet, Messi curled in from the edge of the box in trademark fashion five minutes from time, with the hosts subsequently seeing out victory despite Jacob Murrell's neat finish in the 97th minute.
Data Debrief: Yet another multiple for Messi
This was Messi's 16th game with at least one goal and one assist, tying Carlos Vela for the second-most in a player's first three MLS seasons and trailing only Preki (17).
It was also the 10th match since the beginning of July - for club and country - in which he recorded multiple direct goal involvements, having done so on just four occasions between January and June this year.
As for Miami, they equalled their own record from last season of 20 matches won across all competitions in a single campaign when conceding at least one goal.
Line-ups
Inter Miami CF XI: Óscar Ustari, Messi, Alba, Busquets, De Paul, Maximiliano Falcón, Marcelo Weigandt, Tadeo Allende, Gonzalo Luján, Noah Allen, Yannick Bright
Subs: Rocco Ríos Novo, Telasco Segovia, Ian Fray, Ryan Sailor, Baltasar Rodríguez, Tomás Avilés, Santiago Morales, Dániel Pintér, Mateo Silvetti
D.C. United XI: Benteke, Kye Rowles, Aarón Herrera, Luis Barraza, Brandon Servania, David Schnegg, Conner Antley, Peglow, Gabriel Pirani, Jackson Hopkins, Lucas Bartlett
Subs: Jordan Farr, Jared Stroud, Boris Enow, Joon-hong Kim, Caden Clark, Rida Zouhir, Derek Dodson, Jacob Murrell, Hosei Kijima
GobindaRanaXettri
157
👀 Messi Milestones Update! ⚡🐐 18 goals away from 900 career goals ⚽🔥 9 assists away from 400 career assists 🤯💥 The GOAT keeps rewriting football history — unstoppable!
GobindaRanaXettri
116
22 goals and 10 assists in 22 MLS games this season. 882 career goals, 102 goals from outside the box and 391 assists. Another day in the office for Lionel Messi. Thank you🐐
GobindaRanaXettri
85
Leo Messi has reached 1273 direct goal contributions, the most in football history. 🐐🇦🇷 - 882 goals ⚽️ - 391 assists 🅰
itz_me_ojei
37
At 38 years old, Lionel Messi becomes the 'FASTEST' player in MLS history to reach 70 goal contributions. 🐐
akshaybeniwal
35
good game , my great messi gives penalty to debuted player so his confidence grow ,my goat doesn't care about states now he can complete his hattrick easily but no team player is always team player, love u messi . and last but not least you can't fool us by saying that you can't play in wc26 every match day you score 2 give one assist and you thought that we belive in your statement no ,you will definitely play and win wc26 .
itz_me_ojei
28
Messi drops masterclass twice a week and they think he will not play in the World Cup next year with Argentina. 😁🐐
Earnester
23
GIF link Here: https://www.matchgif.com/v2/live/matchGifs?match_id=54026899&language=en
itz_me_ojei
12
Leo Messi has broke his own record for most goals scored outside the box (102). 🐐⚽️🔥
itz_me_ojei
10
Another match another MOTM 👏🔥
itz_me_ojei
9
Leo Messi vs. DC United: • Minutes Played: 90 • Goals/Assists: 2/1 • Expected Goals (xG): 0.83 • Shots: 10 (4 on target) • Hit the Post: 1 • Tackling: 8/12 • Sofascore Rating: 10/10 🌟 • MOTM 🏆 Greatest of All Times. 🐐