Lionel Messi’s Brace Leads Inter Miami to MLS Shield Victory
In a thrilling match against Columbus Crew, Lionel Messi’s impressive two-goal performance propelled Inter Miami to a 3-2 victory, clinching the MLS Supporters Shield for the Argentinian’s team. The first half saw Messi showcasing his skills with a flurry of goals, securing the award for the best regular-season record for Inter Miami.
Despite Columbus Crew clawing a goal back at the start of the second half, Luis Suarez extended Miami’s lead in the 48th minute with a well-placed header into an empty net. Juan “Cucho” Hernandez’s penalty for the Crew in the 61st minute kept the game tight, but Miami’s goalkeeper Drake Callender’s save of a later penalty attempt ensured Inter Miami’s victory.
With this result, Inter Miami will enjoy home-field advantage throughout the Major League Soccer playoffs. Speaking after the match, Messi expressed the team’s focus on the next challenges ahead, emphasizing the importance of playing all their playoff games at home: “The first round is three games but then it’s one game and anything can happen. But we have the great advantage of playing all the games at home, which is what we were looking for. We are very strong at home.”
Inter Miami now aims to surpass the MLS record for most points in a regular season, currently held by the New England Revolution with 73 points in 2021. The team requires six points from their final two matches to achieve this milestone.
The victory showcased Messi and Suarez’s impact on the team, solidifying Inter Miami as a strong contender in the upcoming playoffs.
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Reference:
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-columbus-crew-luis-suarez-b1999772.html