The Argentine recorded two goals and notched two assists as the South Beach club thumped the 2024 MLS Cup finalists in New Jersey on the road
Lionel Messi recorded his sixth brace in his past seven matches as Inter Miami defeated the New York Red Bulls 5-1 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J.
The Argentine had one of his best performances of the season Saturday night as he bagged two goals and two assists to secure goal contributions on four out of their five goals as the South Beach franchise absolutely dismantled the 2024 MLS Cup finalists on their home ground.
Ironically, it was the hosts who started the match on top, opening the scoring just 15 minutes in from an Emil Forsberg corner kick, with defender Alexander Hack scoring his first MLS goal. However, nine minutes later, the responded with an equalizer, and from there, didn't slow down.
Messi delivered an outrageous assist to Jordi Alba for their first goal of the game, as the Spanish defender smashed home to draw level in the 24th minute. Less than two minutes later, they'd doubled their lead, with Messi again factoring into the goal. He delivered the secondary assist as Alba found Telasco Segovia, who pushed the ball into the back of the net for their second.
On the verge of halftime, Segovia scored his second of the day, capping off a bit of pinball in the box that saw a loose ball end up at his feet. The Herons' three strikes came off an xG of just .67, showing just how clinical they were across the opening 45 minutes.
Out of the break, RBNY looked more composed, but Miami eventually broke them down, and it came via Messi. He scored his first goal of the match in the 60th minute, making it 4-1 off a delightful through ball from Sergio Busquets.
Fifteen minutes later, after Benjamin Cremaschi was introduced off the bench, the U.S. international found Luis Suarez, who then sent a world-class cross into the box, and Messi scored again. The 38-year-old put the ball past RBNY goalkeeper Carlos Coronel to make it 5-1, and with that, the game was put to bed.
It was the perfect response from both Inter Miami and their Argentine star after a midweek loss to FC Cincinnati on the road. Now, Messi and Alba will head to the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, before Miami return to the pitch at Chase Stadium next weekend against Cincinnati.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Sports Illustrated Stadium.
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Rocco Rios Novo (5/10):
Really sloppy goalkeeping on the opening goal for RBNY. He looked nervous in the net most of the match while filling in for the injured Oscar Ustari, but at the same time, he was rarely tested.
Marcelo Weigandt (5/10):
Picked up a needless yellow on the brink of halftime, and struggled to contain Julian Hall and Raheem Edwards most of the match. Not his best.
Maxi Falcon (6/10):
Good defensive performance, but picked up a sloppy yellow and is now suspended for their home match against FCC next weekend. A real lapse of judgement in that moment.
Gonzalo Lujan (7/10):
Solid defensive performance as he was put into the XI unexpectedly. Few errors on or off the ball, and that's about as good of a performance as you can have.
Jordi Alba (8/10):
Such a tidy finish in Miami's first, and he played a big role in their second, too. Some great attacking output from the Spanish veteran.
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Tadeo Allende (5/10):
Really underwhelming performance. Was substituted off the pitch 60 minutes in.
Sergio Busquets (8/10):
Ridiculous assist for Messi's fourth, and a lights-out showing in the midfield. So classy.
Federico Redondo (6/10):
Solid while on the pitch. Very few errors, though he did struggle going forward.
Telasco Segovia (9/10):
Bagged a first-half brace, capitalizing on two great attacking opportunities while finishing in calm, composed, and clinical fashion. A top performance.
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Luis Suarez (7/10):
Couldn't buy a goal when given the chance and somehow managed to walk away without a yellow, despite a performance in which he could have seen one at least five times. However, he deserves his flowers for a truly world-class assist on Miami's fifth and Messi's second.
Lionel Messi (10/10):
Majestic assist on Alba's opener and a delightful secondary assist on their second. His strike on their fourth came off a spectacular run, and his second goal was a near-perfect finish. Just an unreal performance. Otherworldly.
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Benjamin Cremasci (7/10):
Replaced Segovia midway through the second half, then recorded a splendid secondary assist for the fifth goal on the evening. Top cameo.
Yannick Bright (N/A):
Brought on late to lock up the midfield and close out the match.
Tomas Aviles (N/A)):
Subbed on with 15 minutes to spare to shore up the defense.
Fafa Picault (N/A):
Brought on with five minutes left in the match.
Santiago Morales (N/A):
Introduced with minutes to spare.
Javier Mascherano (9/10):
Perfect result. No need to get into it. However, for somebody who complained about wanting to rest Messi over him playing in the ASG next week, it's shocking not to see him substitute for Messi in a blowout win.
