Messi clinches MLS Golden Boot, then nets two goals in Inter Miami’s 3-1 playoff win over Nashville SC
Lionel Messi scored two goals and added an assist in Inter Miami's 3-1 over Nashville SC in the opening game of their first-round MLS playoff series at Fort Lauderdale.
New Delhi: After winning the Golden Boot, Lionel Messi netted twice and added an assist as Inter Miami defeated Nashville SC 3-1 in the opening game of their first-round MLS playoff series at Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.
Tadeo Allende also scored for third-seeded Inter Miami, which has now recorded its sixth consecutive win against Nashville across all competitions. A seventh straight victory against Nashville on November 1 will wrap up the best-of-three series with a match remaining.
Hany Mukhtar netted a late consolation goal with a direct free kick for Nashville, which also lost 5-2 against Miami on the final day of the regular MLS season last Saturday.
Messi has now surpassed his scoring record from the last playoff series against Atlanta United, in which he netted one goal and one assist in three games. On Saturday, Messi scored the opening goal of the match in the 19th minute after Rodrigo De Paul delivered a brilliant short pass to him. Messi then played it wide to Luis Suarez, who returned a cross toward the box where Messi headed past goalkeeper Joe Willis.
Allende scored the second goal for Inter Miami in the 62nd minute, when Nashville centre back Jeisson Palacios was on the sideline due to the league's off-field treatment rule.
Messi scored his second goal in the stoppage time after Willis and centre back Walker Zimmerman collided trying to defend Jordi Alba's cross. Mukhtar's stunning strike from 25 yards gave Nashville some consolation in the last minute.
Messi set to win MLS' MVP award
Messi won the league's MVP award last season and is the first choice to win the award again this year. He will become only the second player to win it two times in league history and the first player to win it in consecutive years. Preki won the MVP award in 1997 and 2003.
Messi netted 29 goals in the regular MLS season, which are five more than LAFC's Denis Bouanga and Nashville's Sam Surridge. He also assisted 19 times during the season.