Messi double pack makes title perfect for Inter Miami – International Football

Major League Soccer

From dpa

October 3, 2024, 6:27 am

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Columbus Crew’s Alexandru Matan (l) chases Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi during the second half of an MLS soccer match. (to dpa: “Messi double pack makes title perfect for Inter Miami”) Photo: Jay LaPrete/DPA

Two goals from Lionel Messi just before half-time and a saved penalty in the final stages gave Inter Miami their first MLS title. One goal from the Argentine in particular was special.

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Messi made it 1-0 in the 45th minute and then made it 2-0 in stoppage time with a direct free kick from a long distance (45th+5). His friend Luis Suarez restored the two-goal gap after scoring (48th minute). Columbus scored again and, despite being outnumbered, still had a great chance to equalize with a penalty. However, Inter goalkeeper Drake Callender parried the attempt and secured the title. It was Messi’s fifth brace of this MLS season; he has 17 goals in 17 games.

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Miami will now safely open the playoffs with a home game on the last weekend in October. Should Miami prevail in the best-of-three series, Inter will also have home advantage in the following rounds. The Eastern Conference semifinals would be November 23rd or 24th, with the Eastern Conference finals a week after that. The MLS Cup against the winner of the Western Conference would then be on December 7th.