Major League Soccer: Messi Double leads Inter Miami to win against New York City FC, Clinches Playoff Spot

Lionel Messi scored two goals and assisted another when Inter Miami hit New York City FC FC 4-0 on Wednesday to achieve a Major League Soccer Cup-Playoff ligplace.

Another classic version of Messi pushed the Argentinian superstar to the Solo -Lead on the MLS scoring list, so that he was brought to 24 goals in 23 games played -two more than Denis Bouanga of Lafc.

Luis Suarez converted a penalty for Miami when he returned from a three-game ban for spitting on an employee of Seattle after the loss of Miami against the Sounders in the Leagues Cup final.

Baltazar Rodriguez also scored for Miami because it secured a play -off place in a convincing style.

Miami clung to a 1-0 lead in Rainy City Field – the home of the New York Mets of Major League Baseball – when Messi delivered a vintage goal in the 74th minute.

By continuing Sergio Busquets, Messi was driven into the box, a defender was omitted and a shot neatly chipping about Matt Freese while the keeper in New York dived at his feet.

After Suarez had taken the 3-0 off the place, Messi again hit the 86th with a precise, sloping shot from the right side of the box to the left corner.

Namely it happened | New York City FC vs Inter Miami Highlights

Miami was surpassed early in the uncomfortable boundaries of the converted baseball court, but it took the lead in the 43rd minute by Rodriguez.

Busquets Fed Messi, whose crispy the ball found the attacking Rodriguez. The 22-year-old Argentin raced in the box and walked a low ball past Freese with confidence.

Until that time, the best chances belonged to New York. Thiago Martins forced a rescue from Oscar Ustari with a header in the 21st minute.

A minute later, NYCFC was re-refused when the long-distance shot of Aiden O’Neill was blocked, and in the 29th minute Nicolas Fernandez hit the right post.

For ten minutes on Freese, Messi denied, but in the end Miami New York had paid for his inability to end.

Miami is in third place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind leader Philadelphia with two games in hand and still with a chance to claim the supporters’ Shield that has been awarded to the team with the best overall record of regular season.

Messi, who plays the MLS Cup -Play -offs for the second time, has three consecutive matches with at least one goal and one assist and has stamped himself a candidate for the 2025 Most Valuable Player Award.

Published on September 25, 2025