Lionel Messi continued his remarkable scoring streak in Major League Soccer on Saturday, netting twice for the fifth consecutive match to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Nashville.
Just days after becoming the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in four straight games, Messi did it again, helping Miami climb further up the Eastern Conference standings following their return from the Club World Cup break.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a signature left-footed free-kick, curling the ball through a narrow gap in the defensive wall and past goalkeeper Joe Willis.
Miami dominated the first half but were pegged back early in the second when Hany Mukhtar equalized with a well-placed header in the 49th minute.
Messi restored Miami’s lead in the 62nd, punishing a costly error from Willis, who misjudged a pass and inadvertently set up the Argentine star for the winning goal.
The brace brought Messi’s season tally to 16 goals in 16 appearances, tying him with Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who failed to score on the night. Messi also scored twice in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over New England, maintaining his relentless run of form.
“There are not many words. It’s incredible what he keeps doing — breaking records every three days, not even every weekend,” said Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano.
“He is the standard-bearer of our team. He shows us how to compete. He’s our leader. It’s a blessing for me to be part of this stage of his career.”
The win marked Miami’s third match since returning to MLS play after a month-long hiatus for the Club World Cup, where they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain.
With 38 points from 19 matches, Miami now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, five points behind leaders Philadelphia Union — who have played three more games.
Philadelphia went top after a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls, with goals from Indiana Vassilev and Bruno Damiani. FC Cincinnati slipped to second on 42 points following a 4-2 defeat to Columbus, who are now level on points with Nashville at 41.
Miami’s packed schedule continues with a midweek clash against Cincinnati, followed by a weekend fixture against the Red Bulls.
Mascherano acknowledged the need to manage the workload of his 38-year-old captain.
“At some point, we’ll have to find the right moment to give him some rest,” he said. “We’ll take it day by day. Right now, he’s feeling good — but when the time comes, we’ll make that decision.”
AFP
