Desk Report:
When Lionel Messi is in rhythm, the opposing team has a hard time stopping him. Messi has scored 3 goals and 2 assists in his last two matches. Inter Miami is benefiting from his impeccable performance.
Inter Miami-DC United faced off in Major League Soccer (MLS) at Chase Stadium this morning Bangladesh time. It was as if Messi and DC United were in a fight. Inter Miami won this MLS match 3-2. Messi scored two goals and assisted one goal. Miami is closer to the playoffs with this extraordinary performance. They are fifth in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference points table with 52 points in 28 matches. 9 teams from each conference will advance to the playoffs.
Inter Miami took the lead in the 35th minute today at the rain-soaked Chase Stadium. Tadeo Allende scored after receiving Messi’s through-pass. Inter Miami ended the match 1-0 up against DC United. DC United equalized seven minutes into the second half. DC striker Christian Benteke scored the equalizer in the 52nd minute.
It took Miami 14 minutes to take the lead. Messi fired a left-footed shot from a pass by Jordi Alba into the net in the 66th minute. Miami could have gone 3-1 up six minutes later. Miami were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute, but 19-year-old Argentine Mateo Silvetti’s shot hit the crossbar.
DC United had a chance to equalize in the 78th minute. However, the penalty awarded to DC was overturned after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Messi then scored his second goal in the 85th minute. The Argentine forward scored with an assist from Sergio Busquets. DC’s Jacob Marrell scored in the extra 7 minutes after 90 minutes, but it only reduced the margin of defeat.
Miami is fifth in the Eastern Conference points table with a 3-2 win. Philadelphia, who is at the top, has 60 points. They have played 31 matches. Cincinnati, Charlotte and Nashville, who are second, third and fourth, have 58, 53 and 53 points. The four teams in the first four of the points table have played 31 matches each. However, Messi could have secured the playoffs today. In that case, the New York Red Bulls would have had to lose against Montreal. But the wait for Messi increased as the New York Red Bulls won 2-0.
