Messi scores twice, sets MLS record in Miami win over New England

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

It was yet another record-breaking night on Saturday for Lionel Messi as he scored two goals and assisted another for Inter Miami in their 4-1 comeback win over the New England Revolution.

In front of 65,612 fans — a new record for a Revolution match at Gillette Stadium — and playing his second match on artificial turf since joining MLS last year, Messi had his fifth consecutive league match with two or more goal contributions, which is a new MLS record. And with his two goals, he took his place as the league's top scorer with nine goals in seven matches this season. He also now has seven assists, giving him a share of the league lead in that category as well. His total of 16 goal contributions are the most for a player first seven matches to start an MLS season, beating Thierry Henry (2012) and Carlos Vela (2019), who each had 13 in the same span.

New England entered the match with a large segment of their squad suffering from a virus that impacted the starting lineup, but they still managed to take a surprising 1-0 lead in the first minute of the match. Messi responded, though, scoring his first of the night in the 32nd minute.

Inevitable.

Messi grabs his 8th goal of the season! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/iE0DNiKpGZ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2024

Messi then scored his second in the 68th minute off a perfect pass from a familiar source: Sergio Busquets.

Busquets -> Messi

Just too good. pic.twitter.com/Q4yl0Qi1OO

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2024

In the 86th minute, with the home team down two goals, Messi waved to the crowd during a stoppage of play, eliciting a huge roar of gratitude. Then, in the 89th minute, Messi set up Luis Suarez, who came off the bench to provide the exclamation point.

LUIS. SUAREZ. WOW. pic.twitter.com/coe7h5b5ll

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 28, 2024

With the victory, Miami retains the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the best record in MLS.

(Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)