Lionel Messi, the name synonymous with football brilliance, delivered a masterclass performance on Saturday night at Chase Field, leading Inter Miami to a resounding 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls. In a display that left fans and pundits alike in awe, Messi notched a staggering six goal contributions, a single goal and a record-breaking five assists—propelled the Herons to a dominant win.
Cagey Start, Explosive Finish
The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to break each other down. However, the floodgates well and truly opened after the break, and it was Messi who pulled the strings. The Argentine maestro orchestrated Inter Miami’s attack with surgical precision, his passes finding their targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Messi Turns On the Style
His impact was immediate. Just after halftime, Messi picked out substitute Matias Rojas with a delightful through ball, and the Paraguayan international made no mistake, firing past RBNY goalkeeper Carlos Coronel to break the deadlock. Buoyed by the lead, Inter Miami pressed on, and Messi was once again at the heart of the action.
In the 52nd minute, he found himself in space on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a trademark curling effort that nestled into the bottom corner, doubling Inter Miami’s advantage and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Messi’s Masterclass Continues
Messi wasn’t done yet. He turned provider once more, setting up Rojas for his second goal with a perfectly weighted cross in the 62nd minute. The Red Bulls, stunned by Messi’s brilliance, offered little resistance.
The Argentine maestro continued to torment the New York defense, setting up Luis Suarez for a clinical finish ten minutes later. With the scoreline at a comfortable 4-0, Messi wasn’t satisfied. He linked up with Suarez once more in the 78th minute, this time with a defence-splitting pass, allowing the Uruguayan striker to slot home his second goal of the night.
Messi Sets New MLS Record
Messi’s insatiable appetite for creating chances didn’t wane. He capped off a sensational performance by setting up Suarez for his hat-trick in the 85th minute, leaving the Red Bulls utterly demoralized. The away side did manage a consolation goal through a penalty in stoppage time, but it was a mere footnote in a night dominated by Messi’s brilliance.
Praise for the Argentine Maestro
Inter Miami manager Phil Neville, visibly elated after the match, showered praise on his star player. “Tonight, we witnessed greatness,” he declared. “Leo [Messi] was unplayable. His vision, his passing, his finishing—everything was simply world-class. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and orchestrated our win single-handedly.”
Messi, ever the humble superstar, downplayed his individual performance, crediting his teammates for their efforts. “It was a great team performance,” he said. “We moved the ball well, created chances, and were clinical in front of goal. I’m happy to contribute, but the credit goes to the entire team.”
Messi’s Magic Embedded in MLS History
However, there was no denying the impact Messi had on the game. His six goal contributions set a new MLS record, etching his name into the league’s history books. Social media went into a frenzy, with fans and pundits alike hailing Messi’s performance as one of the greatest individual displays in MLS history.
Inter Miami’s Playoff Push
This dominant victory has propelled Inter Miami back into playoff contention. With Messi pulling the strings in midfield, the Herons look like a genuine force to be reckoned with. The magic Messi weaves on the pitch continues to amaze, and it seems there’s no stopping the Argentine maestro, even in the twilight of his illustrious career.
