Playing the full 90 minutes at Red Bull Arena (New Jersey), Messi left a clear impression with 2 goals in the 60th and 75th minutes, along with an assist for Jordi Alba in the 24th minute.
He made 68 touches, passed 80% accurately, launched 5 shots, including 2 shots on target. According to statistics from Sofascore, Messi is rated 10th overall.
Messi's first goal came from breaking the offside trap after a long pass from Sergio Busquets. He passed goalkeeper Carlos Coronel before scoring into an empty net. 15 minutes later, Messi completed his double with chest control and a shot with his left foot after a cross from Luis Suarez.
Before that, in the 24th minute, Messi opened the scoring streak for Inter Miami with a pass for Alba to run down and finish. The remaining two goals belonged to Telasco Segovia in the 27th minute and extra time in the first half. Home side New York Red Bulls scored just one goal in the 14th minute.
This is the 6th time in the last 7 matches in MLS that Messi has scored a double. In the remaining match, he did not score when Inter Miami lost 0-3 to Cincinnati on July 16. In total, Messi has had 24 goals and 8 assists in all competitions this season, of which 18 goals and 7 assists in MLS alone.
With this victory, Inter Miami has 41 points, temporarily ranked 5th in the Eastern Conference, 6 points behind leaders Cincinnati but has played 3 matches less. In the next round, Inter Miami will start Cincinnati at lockhart Stadium.
