HARRISON, N.J. (BN24) — Lionel Messi once again left his mark on Major League Soccer, scoring twice and assisting two more goals as Inter Miami thrashed the New York Red Bulls 5-1 on Saturday night, cementing his place atop the league’s scoring charts and continuing his stunning run of form.
Playing at a packed Sports Illustrated Stadium, Messi orchestrated a devastating performance that marked his sixth brace in the last seven MLS games. The Argentine maestro’s brilliance came just days after Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati — a defeat that was quickly erased by a dominant attacking display against the Red Bulls.
Messi played provider in the first half, assisting Jordi Alba’s equalizer in the 24th minute before helping create the second goal just three minutes later with a brilliant pass in the buildup to Telasco Segovia’s finish. The Red Bulls had initially taken a surprise lead in the 15th minute through Alexander Hack’s first career MLS goal, but Messi and company responded with relentless pressure.
Segovia doubled his tally in first-half stoppage time, capitalizing on a chaotic defensive clearance to fire in Miami’s third goal, sending the Herons into halftime with a 3-1 lead.
Messi took center stage in the second half. In the 60th minute, he latched onto a long ball from Sergio Busquets, rounded goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, and calmly slotted in his 17th goal of the season. He added his 18th just 15 minutes later, trapping a Luis Suárez cross and rifling a left-footed shot past the Red Bulls’ keeper to seal the 5-1 victory and claim the lead in the MLS Golden Boot race.
Inter Miami improved to 12-4-5 with 41 points and remains fifth in the Eastern Conference with three games in hand over many of their rivals. For New York, the night was another painful reminder of the gulf in class between them and Messi’s Miami. The Red Bulls, now 9-9-6 with 33 points, have lost three straight matches to Inter Miami, including a 4-1 defeat earlier this season in Fort Lauderdale.
Saturday’s rout marked the second time this season Miami has scored five goals in a match, having also hammered the Columbus Crew 5-1 back in May. More importantly, it underscored the threat Miami poses in the playoff race — especially for teams like the Red Bulls, who may have to face Messi again under much higher stakes come October.
With 27 goal contributions this season, Messi continues to elevate Inter Miami to title contention — and, once again, leaves no doubt who commands the spotlight in MLS.
