Messi scores brace as Inter Miami advance in MLS Cup play-offs
Messi scored a pair of first-half goals and then added two assists as third-seeded Inter Miami won the decisive Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.
New Delhi: Inter Miami's talisman Lionel Messi scored twice and set up two more goals in their 4-0 victory over Nashville SC in Game 3 of their first-round series in the MLS Cup play-offs.
In their home game Fort Lauderdale, Messi scored a pair of first-half goals and then added two assists as third-seeded Inter Miami won the decisive Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.
Tadeo Allende scored a pair of goals about three minutes apart — both set up by Messi — in the second half to blow the game open for Inter Miami, which outscored Nashville 8-3 in the series. Messi had a hand in all eight of those goals, scoring five and assisting on the other three.
Inter Miami will go to FC Cincinnati for an East semifinal match — everything now is single-elimination, unlike Round 1's best-of-three format — on Nov. 22 or Nov. 23.
Messi set up Tadeo Allende's two goals, which were separated by three minutes, that killed the contest. Miami won 8-3 against Nashville on aggregate in the series, with Messi having a hand in all eight of their goals, scoring five times and assisting thrice.
Miami will now face FC Cincinnati in their single leg knock out East semi-final match unlike the best-of-three format in Round 1 on November 22 or November 23.
"We know Cincinnati will be a tough test," Miami's Jordi Alba, who is set to retire after conclusion of the playoff, said after his 100th appearance for the club.
"I would say the team played a near-perfect game, through the defense, midfield and attack," Miami coach Javier Mascherano said.