Lionel Messi is on fire; after scoring a crucial hattrick during the international break against Bolivia, the Argentine again scored a hattrick with his American club Inter Miami. It means he has scored is second hat trick of the week, while his friend and teammate, Uruguayan, striker Luis Suarez, netted twice. This helped Intermiami win 6-2 over New England Revolution on Saturday night. The victory set a new Major League Soccer (MLS) regular-season points record, with Miami finishing on 74 points, surpassing the previous mark of 73 set by New England in 2021.
Messi’s Magical Impact off the Bench
Despite coming off the bench in the 58th minute, Messi contributed heavily to Miami’s dominant win. The Argentine scored three goals in the span of just 11 minutes. The goals from Messi came in 78th, 81st and 89th minute.
He has now scored 20 goals in just 19 MLS matches. His Barcelona teammate Suarez also matched that tally, netting 20 goals in 27 appearances. The pair’s impressive form has cemented Miami’s position as favourites for the upcoming MLS Cup playoffs.
Suarez sparks the comeback
Miami found themselves 2-0 down after goals from Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero in the initial minutes. However, Suarez turned the game around before half-time with two goals—first a left-footed strike and then a well-taken solo effort, levelling the scoreline.
Messi’s hat-trick seals the win
Messi’s introduction changed the momentum. He assisted Benjamin Cremaschi’s go-ahead goal and then scored three goals within 11 minutes. His first came after a clever back-heel pass from Suarez, the second after a pass from Jordi Alba, and he completed his hat-trick with a volleyed finish from a Suarez cross.
Martino on Messi’s Recovery and Playoffs Push
Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino praised Messi’s performance, highlighting the importance of careful recovery after his injury. Martino expressed confidence in the team’s readiness for the playoffs and celebrated breaking the MLS points record as a confidence booster.
Miami secures place in 2025 Club World Cup
The post-match celebrations also saw FIFA president Gianni Infantino announce that Miami’s success earned them a place in the 2025 Club World Cup. Elsewhere, Montreal secured a playoff spot with a 2-0 win over New York City, setting up a clash with Atlanta United.
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