Lionel Messi scored two goals and set up another as leaders Inter Miami recovered from a goal down to cruise to 4-1 away victory over New England in their Major League Soccer clash on Saturday, reported Xinhua.
The hosts made an ideal start in front of 66,000 fans at Gillette Stadium when Tomas Chancalay chipped goalkeeper Drake Callender from an acute angle after Carles Gil's perfectly weighted through ball.
Messi equalized just after the half hour as he ran onto Robert Taylor's pass and calmly slotted his shot past Henrich Ravas.
The Argentina World Cup winner put his side ahead with another cool finish after combining with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets.
Inter Miami were in irresistible form and substitute Ben Cremaschi made it 3-1 shortly after when he bundled home from close range after Messi's attempt was kept out by Ravas.
Messi then turned provider as he laid the ball off to Luis Suarez, who lifted a superb effort into the far corner from a standing start.
"Now we have won three games in a row, two of those on the road, and we are more solid each day," Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino told reporters.
"We're motivated by the atmosphere we're seeing at every stadium. People are coming to see Leo [Messi] but they also want to see their team do well against us. We are dealing better with the pressure than we were before."
Inter Miami now has 21 points from 11 outings and is three points clear of second-placed Cincinnati, who has a game in hand. New England is last in the 15-team Eastern Conference standings with four points from nine games.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
Did Messi’s presence significantly impact Inter Miami’s recent winning streak or was it more about the overall team performance?
Emily_SoccerFan, Messi’s presence undeniably played a crucial role in Inter Miami’s recent winning streak. His exceptional skills, leadership on the field, and ability to create opportunities for his teammates have elevated the team’s performance to new heights. While team synergy is essential, Messi’s individual brilliance has been a key factor in their success.
Wow, Messi is really on fire! Can anyone stop him in the MLS?
Surely, Messi’s exceptional performance is setting a high standard in the MLS that will be hard to match.
What a fantastic performance from Messi, truly showcasing his talent and experience on the field. The chemistry between him and his teammates was evident in every goal scored. Inter Miami looks like a force to be reckoned with, and their improving form is something to watch out for in the league.
Did Messi’s performance single-handedly secure the victory for Inter Miami, or was it a team effort overall?
Hey Emily88, while Messi’s outstanding performance definitely played a crucial role in Inter Miami’s victory, it was undoubtedly a team effort overall. Soccer is a team sport, and the collaboration between players like Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and the whole team is what ultimately led to the impressive 4-1 win over New England. Messi may have shone brightly, but it was the collective effort that secured the victory for Inter Miami.
Was Messi’s performance the key factor in Inter Miami’s victory over New England?
Did Messi’s performance surprise you in the match against New England? How do you think his presence is impacting Inter Miami’s overall performance this season?