Inter Miami 4-1 New England Revolution: Messi assists three as Allende and Alba double up in rout
Inter Miami were indebted to the creativity of Lionel Messi, who helped his side ease past the New England Revolution on Saturday.
Lionel Messi put on a creative masterclass as Inter Miami smashed the New England Revolution 4-1 in MLS.
The Argentina star teed up three of Miami's four goals as Jordi Alba and Tadeo Allende both scored twice to lift Javier Mascherano's side to third in the Eastern Conference.
Messi's first assist came from an incisive through-ball, setting free Allende to open the scoring in the 32nd minute, before intercepting a clearance and offloading for Alba to convert on the stroke of half-time.
Dor Turgeman pegged the hosts back in the second half at Chase Stadium, but just a minute later, Allende raced down the other end and exchanged with Messi before restoring Miami's two-goal lead.
Alba put the result beyond doubt just three minutes later after neat link-up play with Telasco Segovia left Revs goalkeeper Matt Turner with no chance.
The win moved Mascherano's side just three points behind FC Cincinnati in second, while a top-four finish would guarantee home-field advantage in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Data Debrief: Messi chasing Vela's MLS record
Messi has 24 goals and 17 assists, making him just the second player in MLS history to reach at least 40 combined goals and assists in a regular-season campaign.
His sights will now be on Carlos Vela’s record of 49 with Los Angeles FC in 2019.
The World Cup winner has two regular-season games to go to match that feat, while also vying to become the league's first-ever back-to-back winner of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.
