Messi Shines Again As Inter Miami Defeat New England

‎Lionel Messi scored twice in the first half of Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Wednesday.

‎This achievement continues his impressive run in Major League Soccer. The 38-year-old Argentine has scored two goals in each of his last four MLS games, becoming the first player in league history to do so.

‎He launched the streak in late May with two goals in a 4-2 win over Montreal, followed by two in a 5-1 victory over Columbus.

‎Miami paused their MLS campaign to compete in the Club World Cup, where Messi scored one goal in four matches before they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain.

‎After the tournament, Javier Mascherano’s team returned to MLS action on Saturday. In their return match, Miami secured a 4-1 victory over Montreal, with Messi netting two goals.

‎In all, Messi has 14 goals in 15 MLS games, putting him two behind leading scorer Sam Surridge, who has appeared in six more games for Nashville than Messi has played this season.

‎”Obviously, Leo is a special player,” Mascherano said. “For me, he’s the best player that has played this sport in history. It’s unbelievable how he continues doing things that maybe many years ago we thought we could never see at this moment.”

‎Messi put Miami up 1-0 in the 27th minute at Gillette Stadium, taking advantage of a Revolution miscue and firing a left-footed shot from the heart of the area.

‎The Argentinian star doubled the score 11 minutes later, charging onto a long through ball from Sergio Busquets and curling a left-footed shot beyond the reach of Slovenian goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic.

‎”They have played for many years, so just when they see each other, they connect and they know what they think,” Mascherano said of the Busquets-Messi connection.

‎”In the second goal, Busquets understands when and where Leo wants the ball. It’s fantastic for us.”

‎Veteran goalkeeper, Oscar Ustari played a key role for Miami, making six saves before Spaniard Carles Gil scored in the 79th minute by intercepting Tadeo Allende and firing a shot from outside the box.

‎With the win, Miami moved up from sixth to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They now have 35 points, trailing leaders FC Cincinnati by seven points but having played three fewer matches after their break for the Club World Cup.

‎Their jam-packed July schedule continues on Saturday against Nashville, one of three matches in the next 10 days.

‎Mascherano said New England’s late goal meant he couldn’t afford to take Messi out.

‎”We know that at some point we have to find the moment to rest him,” he said.