LIONEL MESSI scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season while adding his sixth assist in between and Inter Miami overcame a very early deficit to earn a 3-1 victory over visiting Nashville SC on Saturday night.
Mr. Messi’s second goal of the match came from the penalty spot late in the second half to effectively seal the outcome. Mr. Messi began the weekend one goal behind five players tied for the MLS lead with six goals, including Miami teammate Luis Suarez.
Sergio Busquets also scored for Inter Miami (5-2-3, 18 points), who won back-to-back league matches for the first time this season.
Nashville (1-3-4, seven points) took an early lead thanks to a Miami own goal forced in part by Daniel Lovitz’s well-placed corner kick, but it couldn’t avoid a second consecutive defeat.
Miami led 2-1 after a first half that might have had even more goals if not for one goal-line clearance at each end and Mr. Messi striking the post on another effort.
Mr. Messi’s PK in the 81st minute came after Joshua Bauer clearly fouled Leonardo Frugis Afonso. — Reuters
