Lionel Messi’s Record-Breaking Performance Leads Inter Miami to a 6-2 Victory

In Major League Soccer on Saturday, a rampant Inter Miami destroyed the New York Red Bulls 6-2. Lionel Messi had an astonishing five assists and a goal in the second half. Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick too. After New York had led 1-0 at halftime, Eastern Conference leaders Inter’s second-half onslaught was ignited by two goals from substitute Matias Rojas. Miami had lost to the Red Bulls 4-0 in New York in March without Messi, but they more than made up for that setback with a ruthless second-half demolition job.

Messi now has 10 goals and 12 assists in eight league matches this season. His five assists, all of which came in the second half, set a new record for an MLS game.

Operating behind Suarez, Messi was too much for the Red Bulls, who entered the game third in the East, with his passing through the smallest of gaps and exploiting his former Barcelona teammate’s telepathic awareness of his intentions.
Regarding Messi’s five assists, Suarez remarked, “Obviously, what we have seen today surprises people, because you don’t see that in football.”

“But nothing about him surprises me as a teammate and someone who knows him,” the Uruguayan continued.
With his latest treble, the 37-year-old Suarez has scored 10 goals in 11 league games for Miami. Although he is no longer endowed with quickness, his lethal finishing ability is evidently still there.

Although the attacking showing was exactly what Miami’s owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham had hoped for when they signed the famous duo, the first half lacked any hint of its explosiveness.

In the thirty-first minute, Dante Vanzeir gave the Red Bulls the lead by slotting home after Swedish playmaker Emil Forsberg’s excellent through pass caused Wikelman Carmona’s shot to miss the post.

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The first half of the match saw Gerardo Martino’s Inter lack vigor and creativity, but the coach’s substitution at halftime changed the course of the match.
After coming on for the second half, Paraguayan Rojas made an immediate impression by stealing a pass from Messi, dodging two defenders, and then launching an incredible drive from 25 yards out.

Then, when Rojas dislodged Carmona and located Suarez, who passed the ball to the Argentine, who made no mistake, Messi gave Miami the lead.

After then, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner provided once more as he split the New York defense with a smart through pass to Rojas, who skillfully chipped over Carlos Coronel who was moving forward.

The Uruguayan then scored his first goal in 12 minutes after Messi chipped in a cross from the right, and Suarez finished with a volley.

A few minutes later, Suarez and Messi executed a one-two before Suarez pushed home to make it 5-1. It was like playing on a playground.
Miami’s sixth goal was again created by Messi and was converted by Suarez from very close range and an extremely tight angle.

“The partnership of him (Messi) and Luis (Suarez) in the second half worked very well, like in old times (…) They were very influential in the game,” Martino stated.

Forsberg’s penalty in the last seconds gave New York a late consolation.