Lionel Messi scored two trademark second-half solo goals to take his MLS-leading tally to 25 as Inter Miami brushed aside hosts Atlanta United 3-1 on Saturday. After Mexico striker Germán Berterame put Miami ahead in the 45th minute, Messi took center stage after the restart with two goals in four minutes. The first, in the 56th minute, came after Messi drove infield from the right wing and exchanged passes with Berterame on the edge off the penalty area before dancing past a desperate Atlanta defender and firing low into the net. His second was more of the same. This time, Luis Suárez sent him free on a breakaway and the Argentine forward again bewitched a hapless defender before once more beating Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos with his left foot. Atlanta got a late consolation goal through a penalty from former Miami forward Fafà Picault.
"He never ceases to amaze the world," Miami coach Cristian "Kily" González said of Messi afterward. "I mean, I honestly can't believe that a guy like him, at 39 years old, is doing what he's doing. And what makes me happiest is seeing that he's truly happy. Because he's happy, he gives everything he has. He enjoys himself and feels right at home."
At full time of Saturday's game, Messi had a six-goal lead in the race for MLS' Golden Boot and also had the joint-most assists (15), along with LAFC's Son Heung-Min, having been credited with a secondary assist on Berterame's opener. Messi is the first player in MLS history to register 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. He now has a goal contribution in 13 straight matches, tying his second-longest streak with club and country in his career. Saturday's brace also took Messi to 936 career goals, and his coach has no doubts that he can reach the 1,000 milestone.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing