MESSI BRACE FIRES INTER MIAMI TO THIRD STRAIGHT MLS VICTORY

Lionel Messi scored twice within four minutes to inspire Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Atlanta United on Saturday, strengthening the team’s push to defend their Major League Soccer (MLS) title as the playoffs draw closer.

The 39-year-old Argentine superstar leads the MLS scoring charts with 25 goals, six ahead of Croatian striker Petar Musa of FC Dallas and Milan Iloski of Philadelphia.

At the same Atlanta stadium where he helped Argentina defeat England in the World Cup semi-finals in July, Messi produced two brilliant finishes to secure Miami’s third consecutive victory.

German Berterame, who opened the scoring for Miami in the 45th minute, turned provider in the 56th minute, finding Messi inside the box. The Argentine dribbled past Atlanta’s defenders before firing a left-footed shot into the net to double Miami’s lead.

Four minutes later, Messi struck again after receiving a pass from Luis Suárez. He raced past the Atlanta defence, outmanoeuvred Junior Alonso and beat goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos to make it 3-0.

Messi had also played a key role in Miami’s opening goal shortly before half-time. He headed the ball to Suárez, who evaded his marker inside the box before delivering a lofted pass that Berterame headed home.

The Argentine was credited with an assist for the goal, drawing level with Los Angeles FC’s Son Heung-min at the top of the MLS assists chart. He also became the first player in league history to record at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons.

Messi has now scored four goals in three matches since his emotional farewell appearance for Argentina. Miami, who secured a playoff spot on Wednesday, have won three consecutive matches under Cristian “Kily” González, who took charge as head coach last month.

Fafa Picault converted a penalty in the 89th minute to reduce the deficit for Atlanta. However, Gerardo Martino’s side, sitting second from bottom in the Eastern Conference, face an increasingly difficult task to secure a playoff place.

Elsewhere, St. Louis City’s MLS-record-equalling 19-match unbeaten streak came to an end following a 3-2 defeat away to Minnesota United, while Philadelphia extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches after a 2-2 draw with Charlotte.

Canadian forward Marcus Caldeira scored Minnesota’s winning goal in the 86th minute after his team had recovered from an early two-goal deficit.

Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro and South Korean winger Jeong Sang-bin had put St. Louis ahead before Minnesota mounted their comeback.

Aziel Jackson pulled one back for Minnesota in the 49th minute, while Kelvin Yeboah equalised in the 68th minute before Caldeira completed the turnaround late in the game.

St. Louis, who have already qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2023, missed the opportunity to break the MLS record for the longest unbeaten run, which they share with Columbus, FC Dallas and Inter Miami.

The defeat also ended St. Louis’ league-record 21-match unbeaten run across all competitions.

The team had not lost an MLS match since their 2-0 defeat away to Austin on May 3, recording 13 victories and six draws during that period.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s eight-match winning streak in the MLS ended with their home draw against Charlotte.

The Union had suffered a 6-4 defeat to Miami on May 24 but have since recorded 12 wins and three draws, collecting 39 points from a possible 45 under interim head coach Ryan Richter, who took charge during the league’s World Cup break.