Inter Miami secured their place in the MLS Cup Playoffs in style on Wednesday night, thanks to a spectacular performance from Lionel Messi. The Argentine superstar scored twice and assisted once to lead Miami to a dominant 4-0 win over New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. This match saw Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025, further cementing his status as the league’s top scorer and helping Miami move higher in the Eastern Conference table.
Messi, who has been in incredible form since joining Miami, scored his 23rd and 24th league goals of the season. His contribution in this match marked Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025, and he also recorded his 13th assist, showing yet again how vital he is in both scoring and creating opportunities.
Messi and Miami Take Control of the Game
The first half of the match was competitive, with both sides creating chances. New York City FC, who came into the game on a three-match winning streak, looked confident early on. However, it was Inter Miami who broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, and Messi was at the heart of it, setting the stage for Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025.
Sergio Busquets intercepted a pass near the halfway line and quickly found Messi. With one touch, Messi turned to face goal and, with his next touch, sent a perfectly timed through ball to Baltasar Rodriguez. The young midfielder made no mistake as he fired low past goalkeeper Matt Freese, giving Miami a 1-0 lead just before halftime.
That goal changed the momentum, and from then on, Miami took complete control. Messi turned provider in the first half, but in the second half, he became the finisher. In the 74th minute, Busquets once again showed his class with a brilliant pass that cut open NYCFC’s defense. Messi reached the ball and delicately chipped it over the onrushing Freese to make it 2-0, completing the first part of Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner wasn’t done. In the 86th minute, Marcelo Weigandt started another attack by feeding the ball forward. Luis Suarez made a clever decoy run, pulling defenders out of position, and Messi calmly slotted the ball into the net. With this finish, he completed Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025, putting the game out of reach for New York.
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Suarez and Rodriguez Add to the Celebration
While Messi grabbed the spotlight, his teammates also made important contributions. Rodriguez, who scored the opening goal, showed great composure for his second strike of the MLS season. His timing and finishing proved crucial in breaking down a disciplined NYCFC defense.
Luis Suarez, returning from a three-game suspension, also got his name on the scoresheet. The Uruguayan striker scored Miami’s fourth and final goal from the penalty spot late in the game. This allowed Messi’s performance to shine even brighter, as Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025 helped Miami dominate from start to finish.
The chemistry between Messi, Suarez, and Busquets was on full display, bringing back memories of their dominant Barcelona days. With experienced players leading the way and young talents like Rodriguez stepping up, Miami looked like a complete unit, making it clear why Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025 is such a headline story this season.
Miami Rise in the Standings as NYCFC Struggle
With this win, Inter Miami improved their record to 16 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses, giving them 55 points. That total moved them ahead of both NYCFC and Charlotte into third place in the Eastern Conference. Miami now sits just five points behind Philadelphia, who are leading both the East and the Supporters’ Shield race, but crucially, Miami still have two games in hand. This strong performance, highlighted by Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025, shows they are ready for the playoffs.
New York City FC, on the other hand, saw their winning streak end at three games. They also failed to score for the first time in 10 matches, which cost them a drop in the standings. They now sit in fifth place with 53 points and will need to regroup quickly if they want to hold on to a strong playoff position.
For Miami, the win marked their third straight victory since suffering a 3-0 defeat against Charlotte earlier this month. In those three games, Miami has scored 10 goals and conceded just three, with Messi alone scoring five times, including Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025 against NYCFC. His scoring consistency has made him the clear frontrunner in the Golden Boot race, now two goals ahead of Denis Bouanga of LAFC and three clear of Nashville’s Sam Surridge.
The victory also sends a strong message to the rest of the league: Inter Miami, powered by Messi and supported by stars like Suarez and Busquets, are a team no one will want to face in the playoffs. This match will be remembered for Lionel Messi 2 Goals in MLS 2025, which kept Miami in control and highlighted his unmatched skill.
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