In a thrilling Major League Soccer (MLS) encounter, Lionel Messi showcased his brilliance once again, netting a spectacular hat-trick in just 11 minutes as Inter Miami roared back from a two-goal deficit to secure a commanding 6-2 victory over New England on Saturday. The Argentine maestro’s performance helped seal a crucial win, capping a remarkable comeback and propelling Miami to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference standings.
New England initially stunned the home crowd at Chase Stadium, racing to a 2-0 lead with goals from Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero inside the first 30 minutes. Inter Miami looked to be in trouble, but their fortunes turned when Luis Suarez, the veteran Uruguayan striker, stepped up. Suarez’s two goals before halftime brought Miami level, restoring hope to Gerardo Martino’s side.
With the score tied at 2-2 heading into the second half, Ben Cremaschi put the hosts ahead in the 58th minute with a clinical finish. Moments later, Messi, who had come on as a substitute in the 57th minute for David Martinez, wasted no time making his impact felt. Just one minute after entering the game, Messi unleashed a stunning long-range strike to extend Miami’s lead to 4-2.
The momentum continued in Messi’s favor as he masterfully timed his run to beat the offside trap, latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Jordi Alba before slotting home from eight yards out. His brilliance culminated with a third goal—a well-executed volley from the edge of the six-yard box, set up by a deft acrobatic cut-back from Suarez on the right side of the penalty area.
This hat-trick marked the 37-year-old’s second in consecutive games, following his three-goal performance for Argentina in their 6-0 rout of Bolivia during a World Cup qualifier just days earlier. Messi’s dazzling display on Saturday further cemented his legendary status and underscored his continued dominance at the highest level of football.
The emphatic win secured Inter Miami’s position atop the MLS Eastern Conference with 74 points from 34 matches. With the regular season now complete, Gerardo Martino’s men will turn their focus to the playoffs, where they will host the winner of Tuesday’s clash between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.
Messi’s impact, alongside Suarez’s contributions, has reignited Inter Miami’s ambitions for a strong postseason run, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what’s to come.