New York City FC 0-4 Inter Miami: Messi´s second-half brace clinches playoff spot - Soccer News

[ad_1] Inter Miami and Lionel Messi are heading to the MLS playoffs after the Argentine’s second-half brace sealed a 4-0 win over New York Metropolis FC at Citi Area.

Messi additionally assisted Baltasar Rodriguez’s Forty third-minute opener, with Luis Suarez’s penalty sandwiched between Messi’s double to seal their spot within the postseason.

NYCFC got here into the conflict having gained their final three league video games and got here near opening the scoring when Nicolas Fernandez struck the publish within the twenty ninth minute.

Oscar Ustari additionally produced a point-blank save to disclaim Thiago Martins’ header, however Pascal Jansen’s facet have been made to pay for his or her wastefulness two minutes earlier than the break.

Messi’s pleasant ball in behind the NYCFC defence was collected by Rodriguez, who took his time earlier than coolly slotting previous Matt Freese and into the bottom-right nook.

Miami then doubled their lead within the 73rd minute by way of Messi, who delicately chipped the ball over Fresse after being picked out by Sergio Busquets’ defence-splitting go.

Javier Mascherano’s group have been then awarded a penalty after Rodrigo De Paul was introduced down by Justin Haak, with Suarez stepping as much as dispatch the ensuing spot-kick.

And the playoff-clinching victory was sealed 4 minutes from time when Messi’s dazzling run from the fitting ended with a advantageous end throughout Fresse and into the bottom-left nook.

Goleada en NY Vamos Miami pic.twitter.com/4ygGkqeSD6

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 25, 2025

Elsewhere, the Vancouver Whitecaps left it late to grab some extent at house to the Portland Timbers, with Brian White’s 88th-minute strike incomes a 1-1 draw at BC Place.

Kamal Miller’s gorgeous half-volley from distance had given Portland the lead six minutes earlier than the interval, however there was to be extra late drama within the contest.

With simply two minutes remaining of regular time, White completed from shut vary from a nook to increase Vancouver’s unbeaten league run to 5 matches.

Knowledge Debrief: Magical Messi makes extra historical past

Messi has made information tumble since his swap to Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2023, and his two objectives and an help right here noticed him turn into the primary participant in MLS historical past to document 35 objective contributions in back-to-back seasons (24 objectives, 11 assists).

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner additionally recorded his eighth multi-goal sport in a single season, changing into the fourth participant to realize the feat after Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2018), Mamadou Diallo (2000) and Stern John (1998).

It was additionally simply Miami’s second win of their thirteenth all-time assembly with NYCFC (D4 L7) and their first since August 2022, although they have been worthy of their win right here.

Certainly, Mascherano’s males generated an anticipated objectives (xG) whole of two.32 from their 12 photographs, eight of which have been on track, in comparison with NYCFC’s 0.93 from their 9 makes an attempt at Ustari’s internet.