Lionel Messi continued his rich scoring streak in MLS, scoring twice as league leaders Inter Miami won 4-1 at the New England Revolution on Saturday.
With two goals, Messi, the MLS top scorer, took his tally to nine goals in seven matches this season.
A crowd of more than 65,612 people turned out at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the stadium the Revolution shares with the NFL’s New England Patriots, to see the Argentine World Cup winner.
New England, who were hit by the flu in the lead-up to the game and in last place in the Eastern Conference, delighted the large home crowd after just 40 seconds through an Argentine – Tomas Chancalay.
Miami defender Nicolas Freire passed the ball to Spanish midfielder Carles Gil, who passed it over to Chancalay, who spotted Drake Callender well off his line and fired the ball over the Miami goalkeeper for the opening goal. .
Messi pulled Miami level in the 32nd minute when he was found by Robert Taylor’s pass and the 36-year-old made no mistake, scoring the goal.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored again to put Miami ahead in the 68th minute when he collected a superb pass from his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets and finished with his usual ease.
Miami added two more in the final phase – both created by Messi.
Substitute Benjamin Cremaschi made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute, taking advantage after Messi’s shot was saved. Luis Suarez completed the scoring, finding the top corner after Messi’s pass.
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