MIAMI: Lionel Messi marked his return to club football after saying farewell to Argentina’s national team with a brilliant brace as Inter Miami defeated DC United 4-0 on Saturday.
The 39-year-old Argentine superstar scored in the 47th and 60th minutes to help the defending Major League Soccer (MLS) champions secure only their second league victory in their past 11 matches.
Messi returned to Inter Miami just four nights after scoring in what he described as his final appearance for Argentina’s national team, known as the Albiceleste, during a victory over Benin.
The result lifted Miami to second place in the Eastern Conference with 49 points from 28 matches, improving their record to 13 wins, five defeats and 10 draws.
Messi and Suarez Lead Miami’s Dominant Display
Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez set the tone for Miami’s commanding performance, scoring twice in the first half to give the hosts a comfortable advantage.
Suarez opened the scoring in the third minute with a powerful left-footed strike from the centre of the penalty area into the top-left corner. German forward Berterame provided the assist.
The veteran striker doubled Miami’s lead in the 39th minute, again finishing a move assisted by Berterame. The goal took Suarez’s tally to 16 for the campaign.
Messi then took centre stage after the break.
The Argentine forward made it 3-0 in the 47th minute, firing home with his left foot after receiving a pass from Suarez.
Thirteen minutes later, Messi added his second goal of the evening after evading three defenders before finding the net. His brace completed a convincing performance by Miami, who controlled the contest and secured all three points.
Cristiano Ronaldo Pays Tribute to Lionel Messi After Argentina Farewell
Messi Targets More MLS History
Messi remains one of the league’s leading attacking performers, having scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists, according to the figures supplied in the match report.
The Argentine is also seeking a third consecutive MLS Most Valuable Player award as he continues to play a central role in Miami’s ambitions.
The club is aiming to become the first team to win consecutive MLS Cup titles since the Los Angeles Galaxy achieved the feat in 2011 and 2012.
Saturday’s victory provided an important boost after a difficult run of league results, although Miami will need greater consistency to maintain their challenge for the title.
Toronto Stun Montreal With Late Comeback
Elsewhere in MLS, Toronto produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat Montreal 2-1 in a Canadian derby.
Montreal took the lead in the 52nd minute through Mexican forward Daniel Rios, leaving Toronto chasing an equaliser for much of the second half.
Scottish striker Lewis Morgan rescued Toronto in the third minute of stoppage time, scoring his first regular-season MLS goal in two years.
Former Montreal player Djordje Mihailovic then completed the turnaround in the fifth minute of added time to secure a crucial victory.
“Now I’ve scored on both sides of this derby,” Mihailovic said. “It feels good.”
The win ended Toronto’s three-game losing streak and moved the team to within one point of an Eastern Conference playoff position.
Chicago Fire Win Despite Red Card
Chicago Fire also secured a hard-fought victory, defeating New York City FC 2-1 despite playing with 10 men for much of the match.
Austrian midfielder Hannes Wolf put New York City ahead in the 19th minute, but Chicago’s task became more difficult when Ivory Coast midfielder Dje D’Avilla received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 43rd minute.
Chicago responded after the break, with Swedish midfielder Anton Saletros equalising in the 55th minute.
Swiss forward Maren Haile-Selassie then scored in the 87th minute to complete the comeback and give Chicago all three points.
While Messi’s two-goal display dominated the headlines in Miami, the results elsewhere delivered late drama and important points in the MLS playoff race.
