Messi Breaks Record with Another Brace

World’s top footballer Lionel Messi scored a brace in his previous match to bring Inter Miami back to winning ways. Continuing that form, Messi struck another brace on Sunday morning. Not only did he score twice, but he also assisted two more goals.

In Major League Soccer (MLS), Inter Miami thrashed Columbus 5-1. With his brace, Messi also broke a record — he is now the highest goal scorer in Inter Miami’s history in the MLS. Messi’s goal tally has now reached 31, surpassing his former Argentine teammate Gonzalo Higuaín’s 29 goals.

At home in Chase Stadium, Columbus competed well with Miami in terms of ball possession and creating chances. Miami had 51% possession while Columbus had 49%. Miami took 14 shots compared to Columbus’ 12. However, while Miami managed 7 shots on target, Columbus could only get 1 on target. The key difference was in finishing — and Messi dominated in that department.

In the 13th minute, Messi assisted the first goal scored by Tadeo Allende. The Argentine winger received a brilliant long pass from Messi, controlled it perfectly, and slotted it into the net. Just two minutes later, Messi got on the scoresheet himself thanks to a mistake by Columbus goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.

Hagen, while attempting to pass to a teammate, gave the ball away near the box straight to Messi — who made no mistake and gave Miami a 2-0 lead.

In the 24th minute, Messi scored his second and Miami’s third goal, effectively knocking Columbus out of the match. Just like Messi had assisted Allende, this time Sergio Busquets assisted Messi. From midfield, Busquets delivered a lofted ball that Messi chipped over the goalkeeper to almost seal the win for Miami.

Columbus pulled one back in the 58th minute with a goal by César Robalcaba. But in the 64th minute, Luis Suárez extended Miami’s lead to 4-1. Then, near the end of the match, Fafà Picault scored Miami’s fifth and final goal from a Messi pass.

With this 5-1 win, Inter Miami has now climbed to third place in the MLS points table. After 18 matches, Miami has 8 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses, totaling 29 points. They are 5 points behind league leaders Philadelphia, but Miami has played one game fewer than them.