Lionel Messi continued his remarkable scoring streak in Major League Soccer, netting two goals for the fifth consecutive game to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 win over Nashville.
Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a perfectly placed free kick that slipped through Nashville’s defensive wall and beat goalkeeper Joe Willis.
This was his 69th career free-kick goal and sixth for Inter Miami.
In the second half, Nashville equalized just four minutes after halftime when Hany Mukhtar scored with a header off a fine cross from Andy Nájar.
However, Messi struck again in the 62nd minute, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error by Willis, who misjudged a pass, allowing Messi to dribble around him and slot the ball into the net.
Messi became the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in five straight league games, extending his record-breaking streak.
The two goals took Messi’s total to 16 in 16 appearances this season, tying him with Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who was unable to add to his tally on Saturday.
Inter Miami is in fifth place in the East with 38 points from 19 matches, trailing leaders Philadelphia by five points but having three games in hand.
Miami’s jam-packed schedule continues with matches against Cincinnati on July 17 and New York Red Bulls on July 20.
Miami coach, Javier Mascherano praised Messi’s incredible form, saying, “There are not many words. It’s incredible what he keeps doing, breaking records now every three days, not even every weekend. ”
Mascherano acknowledged the need to give Messi rest, stating, “At some point we are going to have to find a space to give him some rest, we are going to talk about it day by day” .
AFP
