Inter Miami beat D.C. 3-1 at home thanks to Lionel Messi’s involvement in every goal, keeping them in the MLS Supporters Shield race. United on Saturday.
An inch-perfect pass from the Argentine star over the D.C. defense set up Tadeo Allende to score for Miami in the 35th minute at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium.
Christian Benteke scored early in the second half for D.C. United, but Messi’s performance ultimately secured Miami’s victory.
In the 66th minute, he scored, taking a pass from former teammate Jordi Alba. The 38-year-old kicked the ball with his left foot, scoring a goal from outside the box, and the ball went into the top corner, which made Miami feel better.

Even with a potential hat trick, Messi unexpectedly skipped taking Miami’s penalty in the 72nd. However, Mateo Silvetti, his fellow young Argentine, was the one who took the penalty, but he hit the crossbar.
Despite Jacob Murrell’s late goal, Messi’s goals were enough for Miami to win and advance in the standings.
Javier Mascherano’s team is eight points behind Philadelphia Union, who lead the Supporters’ Shield, but with three games to play, they hope to win again.
“Well, it’s a significant victory because in the end this week we won the six points that we had to win here at home, we have climbed positions in the standings,” he said. “We still have some games pending and if we get good results, it will be even more of a chance to climb positions and finish at the top of the standings, which well we all know that that is the first objective, practically to be one victory away from being in the playoffs and then try to get as high as possible because of the advantage that being able to define at home gives you.”
Messi’s two goals also put him over Nashville’s Sam Surridge and at the top of the MLS’s scoring chart with 22 goals. Messi has 12 assists in 22 games so far this season.
Mascherano stated, “It was a usual night for Leo, which is not normal for other football players.” “His ability to become a force to play, to find situations where he could carry the team on his shoulders when we needed it most, when we perhaps had difficulties, and well, it’s a bit like what we’ve been saying, it’s the advantage of having him, and well, today we could take advantage of it.”