Lionel Messi on Saturday became the first player in MLS history with five straight multi-goal games (goals or assists) as Inter Miami defeated the New England Revolution 4-1.
Messi scored in both halves to lead the Herons to another victory, as Tata Martino’s men continue to lead the way in the Eastern Conference with a 6-3-2 record.
Messi scored his eighth and ninth goals of the young season as he continues to climb the club’s all-time top scorer list, with Gonzalo Higuan’s 29 goals in sight this season. But while the end result was solid for the visitors, the match couldn’t have started worse.
It was the defensive problems of a team that had mainly invested in offense that showed up early. It took less than a minute for the Revolution to find the back of the net through a Thomas Chancalay goal from a tight angle, giving the hosts not only the lead but all the momentum.
It would take just over half an hour for Messi to do what he does: score goals. His eighth goal of the season came in the 32nd minute when he was played into the penalty area and finished easily at the near post in front of 65,000 fans.
It was more of the same in the second half as Sergio Busquets managed to thread the needle with a fantastic through ball, sending Messi into the penalty area for a neat finish to the far post.
Benjamin Cremaschi added Inter Miami’s third with seven minutes to go to confirm the victory before Luis Suarez scored in the 88th. The next game for the Herons will be back in action on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls.
