Inter Miami's Lionel Messi scored a late goal to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over New England Revolution in a Major League Soccer (MLS) match on Sunday. The win moved Inter Miami into second place in the Eastern Conference with one game left to play. Messi's goal in the 83rd minute was enough to secure three points for his team. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar also provided an assist for German Berterame's equalizing goal.
The match got off to a slow start, with neither team able to score in the first half. However, New England's Daniel Gazdag broke the deadlock early in the second half, scoring after a cut-back pass from Ilay Feingold and a shot that was smashing home. Inter Miami came close to equalizing soon after the hour, but Berterame's shot was cleared off the line by Brooklyn Raines.
Messi's involvement in the game proved crucial, as he provided an improvised assist off the back of his head for Berterame's equalizing goal in the 69th minute. The assist came after Telasco Segovia flicked a ball high into the box toward Messi, who headed it blindly off the back of his head to Berterame.
Messi then scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute, collecting the ball just outside the penalty area, spinning and skipping past three tackles before wrapping his left foot around the ball and sending it low into the far corner past US national team goalkeeper Matt Turner. The goal secured a crucial win for Inter Miami.
The win sent Inter Miami a point clear of New England Revolution with one game left to play, meaning a win against Charlotte on Saturday will guarantee home advantage until the Conference Finals. It also secured Miami's spot in next year's CONCACAF Champions Cup. Inter Miami's victory was a significant result in the Eastern Conference.
The match also had implications for other teams in the Eastern Conference, as Columbus Crew and Orlando City both qualified for the playoffs after 10th-placed New York Red Bulls lost 3-2 to Nashville. Sam Sturridge's stoppage-time strike sealed a comeback victory from 2-0 down for Nashville, who have tied the record for the most points in MLS history.
In other news, Nashville lifted the Supporters' Shield trophy on Sunday at their Geodis Park stadium, becoming the first team in MLS history with 15 home wins. Higher seeds retain home advantage through the post-season until the MLS Cup, which will take place on December 18.
Key points
- Inter Miami moved into second place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win over New England Revolution.
- Lionel Messi scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute and provided an assist for German Berterame's equalizing goal.
- The win secured Inter Miami's spot in next year's CONCACAF Champions Cup and guaranteed home advantage until the Conference Finals with a win against Charlotte on Saturday.
