Lionel Messi nets twice as Inter Miami seal playoff spot with 4-0 win over New York City

Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance, scoring two goals and providing an assist as Inter Miami clinched a playoff spot with a crushing 4-0 win over New York City FC Wednesday night. Miami (16-6-7) extended its winning streak to three games and increased its league-leading goal total to 64 this season. Five of the team’s last six MLS matches have featured at least three goals, including a 3-2 victory over DC United.


Messi’s first-half assist marked a historic milestone, making him the first MLS player to record at least 35 goal contributions in consecutive seasons. His two second-half goals moved him into the record books again, becoming just the fourth player in league history to register eight multi-goal games in a single season.


The scoring opened in the 74th minute when Messi chipped over Matt Freese, who had advanced off his line during a breakaway, putting Miami up 2-0. Luis Suarez, returning from suspension, converted a penalty in the 83rd minute, and Messi added his second goal three minutes later. Goalkeeper Óscar Ustari earned his sixth clean sheet of the campaign.


New York City (16-10-5) saw its three-game winning streak end. The team had promising opportunities in the first half, including a corner where Thiago Martins’ header went directly to Ustari and a near-miss by Nicolás Fernández, whose shot went just wide after deceiving the goalkeeper.