Shortly before, PSG had humiliated Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, then Lionel Messi took center stage once again in the US. The Argentine made MLS history in the process.
Inter Miami seems to have coped well with its elimination from the Club World Cup (0-4 in the round of 16 against PSG). Coach Javier Mascherano’s team followed up its 4-1 comeback win against Club de Foot Montreal with a 2-1 away win at New England Revolution.
And, of course, superstar Messi was once again at the heart of the action. Inter dominated the game from the start at Gillette Stadium, before the captain took advantage of a major lapse in the opposition’s defense and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner with his first touch from the right side of the penalty area (27′).
Eleven minutes later, it was a familiar combination: Busquets, who had played alongside Messi for a long time at FC Barcelona, sent his captain deep into the opposition half with a superb vertical pass. Once again, Messi needed only one touch to score his second goal (38′).
It was a historic one at that: Messi scored twice in an MLS game for the fourth time in a row, a feat no other player in league history had achieved before him. The streak began at the end of May against Montreal, with Messi following up with a brace against Columbus Crew and then again against Montreal.
The goals against New England Revolution were already his 13th and 14th of the season in 15 appearances. Only Nashville’s Sam Surridge has scored more, with 16 goals. “Leo is obviously a special player,” Mascherano praised after the final whistle: “For me, he is the best player who has ever played the game.”
Ustari increasingly in the spotlight
Seconds before the break, New England almost reduced the deficit, but keeper Ustari made a spectacular save against former Miami striker Campana (45+2). After the break, it was Ustari who came into the spotlight more and more, as Miami’s defense, which had already looked shaky in previous games, was at times completely overwhelmed.
And there was more excitement to come: after Miami lost possession near their own penalty area, Carles Gill fired a powerful shot into the right corner from the edge of the box (80′). However, the victory ultimately held up. Miami, who have three games in hand, are now fifth, seven points behind Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati.
