Inter Miami vs New York City: Messi scores as Miami enter MLS Cup playoffs
Briefly

Inter Miami vs New York City: Messi scores as Miami enter MLS Cup playoffs
"Lionel Messi scored two goals and assisted on another as Inter Miami beat New York City FC 4-0 to seal a berth in the MLS Cup playoffs for the second year running. Luis Suarez and Baltasar Rodriguez were the other goal scorers for Miami as the visitors snapped NYCFC's three-game winning streak at Citi Field, New York, on Wednesday."
"Messi's brace helped him move to the top spot on the MLS goal-scoring charts with 24 goals in 23 games, two ahead of LAFC's Denis Bouanga. The Argentinian star's first goal came in the 74th minute when he reached Sergio Busquets's exceptional through-ball and chipped the charging Matt Freese. His second came 12 minutes later, when he finished low on the dribble on an attack set up by Marcelo Weigandt's pass and Suarez's decoy run."
"Messi was a provider first, when Rodriguez put Miami in front in the 43rd minute by finishing off an attack that flowed straight up New York's middle. Busquets intercepted a pass in his own half and then quickly fed the ball to Messi, who turned his body towards the goal with one touch, then, with his second, fed Rodriguez's run in behind the NYCFC defence."
Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 4-0 to secure an MLS Cup playoff spot for the second consecutive year. Lionel Messi scored two goals and provided an assist, while Luis Suarez and Baltasar Rodriguez also found the net. The victory moved Miami into third place in the Eastern Conference with 55 points from 16 games, overtaking NYCFC and Charlotte FC. Messi leads MLS with 24 goals in 23 games and has three straight matches with at least one goal and one assist. Sergio Busquets contributed key playmaking, including an interception and an exceptional through-ball that led to Rodriguez's opener. Messi has stamped himself a candidate for the 2025 Most Valuable Player award.
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