Lionel Messi returned to scoring with Inter Miami. It took nearly a month, representing five matches, for the star to end an unusual scoring drought. He was able to celebrate this Saturday, scoring the fourth goal in Las Garzas’ 4-1 rout of New York Red Bull to cap a victory in which he was one of the stars.
The Argentina national team captain’s goal came in the 67th minute, with the score temporarily tied at 3-1. He received the ball in the three-quarters of the pitch, played a one-two with Telasco Segovia, who returned the ball to him with a precise, bouncing pass into space. Leo held his mark with his body, and when the ball was at a suitable height, he unleashed a furious volley from close range past the opposing goalkeeper.
It was the perfect ending to a high-flying second half for the number ’10’, unlike a first half in which he looked subdued. He could have even celebrated a brace with a great shot from outside the box, but this time the opposing goalkeeper did deny him a chance to celebrate. Thus, Leo once again brought a smile to the faces of all of Inter Miami, who had recovered from their weakest moment of the season.
Inter Miami was clearly superior from the start at home. And they made it clear in a 30-minute burst, when they opened the scoring in the 10th minute thanks to a goal from Fafá Picault. Then came former Boca Juniors player Marcelo Weigandt, who scored his first goal for the club, and just ten minutes later, Luis Suárez himself also ended his scoring drought, making it 3-0.
The New York Red Bull pulled one back before the half ended, which briefly raised concerns about the possibility of a 3-2 scoreline, but they never really got into the game.
With Messi already firing on all cylinders in the second half, Javier Mascherano’s team regained control and sealed the victory, deserving of one more goal. With this win, Inter Miami broke a three-game losing streak, including elimination in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals against the Vancouver Whitecaps, and climbed to fourth place in the Eastern Conference, reaching 21 points in the MLS standings.
