MIAMI: Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez scored twice each as Inter Miami CF beat D.C. United 4-0 at NU Stadium on Saturday in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Suárez scored in the third and 39th minutes, with Germán Berterame providing both assists. His opener followed a cross from Sergio Reguilón that Berterame redirected with a header. Berterame’s second finish came from another headed pass.
Inter Miami finished the match second in the Eastern Conference with 49 points. Leaders Nashville began the matchday on 60 points.
Messi added his first goal in the 47th minute. Suárez created space down the left side of the penalty area before supplying a pass for Messi’s first-time, left-footed finish.
At the hour mark, Messi collected a pass from Rodrigo De Paul and drove past defenders into the box. He slotted it into the bottom-right corner to complete the scoring.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair preserved Miami’s first-half lead with a 16th-minute save from D.C. United’s Tai Baribo.
The brace took Messi to 23 league goals this season, the league lead. Including international appearances, he has scored in five consecutive matches.
Saturday’s performance came four days after his farewell appearance for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires. In that Tuesday friendly, Messi scored and provided two assists before returning to club football. Across club and international football, he has scored 38 goals in 41 matches this year.
Messi’s latest goals brought his official career total to 934. That tally includes 672 goals for Barcelona, 32 for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), 104 for Inter Miami and 126 for Argentina.
Read: Lionel Messi Ends Argentina Career With 3-0 Benin Win
Cristiano Ronaldo remains ahead on 980 career goals after scoring for Al Nassr against Al Diriyah on Friday. His lead over Messi stands at 46 goals. Messi needs 66 more goals to reach the 1,000-goal milestone, while Ronaldo needs 20.
Miami extended their unbeaten run against D.C. to seven matches, comprising five wins and two draws. Inter Miami next hosts New York City FC on October 14.
(With additional input from MARCA and Inter Miami CF)
