"Lionel Messi stole the show once again as his hat-trick propelled Inter Miami to a 5-2 victory over Nashville SC on Decision Day. Both Miami and Nashville were sure of their places in the MLS playoffs before Saturday's match at GEODIS Park. But eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi did not let up as he scored three times and provided an assist to send Miami into the postseason in style."
"Having curled in the opener from the edge of the box, Messi saw Miami go behind by half-time as Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg hit back for Nashville. Yet a handball from Andy Najar gifted Miami a penalty, which Messi converted in the 63rd minute to spark a stunning comeback. Baltasar Rodríguez put Miami ahead four minutes later, nudging in on the follow-up after Luis Suarez, who was played in by Messi, had been denied by Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis."
"Messi is the first player in MLS history to finish a regular season with at least 18 goals and 18 assists. He rounded out on 29 goals and 19 assists, securing the Golden Boot ahead of Surridge and Denis Bouanga (24 goals each). The 38-year-old had a whopping seven shots on Saturday, with four of those hitting the target, while also creating five chances, and he seems a shoo-in to be named MLS MVP."
Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 5-2 on Decision Day with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist. Messi opened with a curled strike from the edge of the box before Miami fell behind at half-time after goals from Sam Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg. Andy Najar's handball conceded a penalty converted by Messi in the 63rd minute to start Miami's comeback. Baltasar Rodríguez put Miami ahead shortly after following a Luis Suárez shot, and Messi completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute before assisting Telasco Segovia in stoppage time. Messi finished the regular season with 29 goals and 19 assists.
Read at Soccer News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]