Argentine star Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami CF, scored two goals within four minutes and led his team to a 3-1 victory over host Atlanta United, as the team's efforts to defend its Major League Soccer (MLS) title gain momentum with the approach of the playoffs.
Messi, 39, strengthened his lead in the top scorers' list with 25 goals, ahead of Croatian Peter Russo, striker for FC Dallas, with 20 goals, and Milan Iloski, player for Philadelphia, with 19 goals. On the same Atlanta field where Messi shone in the North American World Cup, the Argentine star scored two brilliant goals to secure Inter Miami's third consecutive victory.
Goals and individual achievements
The Argentine-born Mexican naturalized citizen Germ谩n Berterame, who gave the visiting team the lead in the 45th minute, created the second goal by passing the ball to Messi, who dribbled past the Atlanta defense before shooting with his left foot from the center of the penalty area in the 56th minute. Four minutes later, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner for the world's best player scored his second personal goal and the team's third, following a run from the midfield after a pass from his former Barcelona teammate, Uruguayan striker Luis Su谩rez.
Messi raised his tally to four goals in three matches played since his emotional farewell to the Argentine national team after announcing his international retirement. The "Little Flea" had contributed to putting Inter Miami ahead before the end of the first half, when he headed the ball to Su谩rez inside the penalty area, who then crossed it, which Berterame headed into the net.
Leading in assists
Messi was awarded an assist, equaling the number of South Korean Son Heung-min from Los Angeles FC at the top of the list of players with the most assists. Messi is the first player in MLS history to successfully record at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. Inter Miami, which secured its playoff qualification on Wednesday, also achieved its third consecutive victory under the guidance of Argentine coach Christian "Kelly" Gonzalez, who took over the technical role last month.
In the 89th minute, Vava Pequeno scored a consolation goal for Atlanta from a penalty kick, but the team of Argentine coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino is struggling with results, as it sits in the second-to-last position in the Eastern Conference.
Source: Arriyadiyah newspaper
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