Superstar Lionel Messi has ended his goal drought in grand style as Inter Miami stormed back to winning ways with a commanding 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer (MLS) at Chase Stadium, Florida.
Messi’s strike, his first in five games, sealed a much-needed morale-boosting win for Miami, who had been reeling from a three-game losing streak across all competitions, including a demoralizing exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup at the hands of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Miami wasted no time asserting dominance. Fafa Picault opened the scoring in the ninth minute, firing home a clinical finish after Luis Suarez deftly redirected a Marcelo Weigandt cross into his path. The home side doubled their lead in the 30th minute when Weigandt, heavily involved throughout, saw his header parried by Red Bulls keeper Carlos Coronel, only to follow up and bury the rebound. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR check confirmed its legitimacy.
Nine minutes later, Suarez added his name to the scoresheet, pouncing on a rebound after his first attempt was blocked. Despite Miami’s control, the Red Bulls pulled one back just before the break through a fortuitous corner kick from Omar Valencia that floated over keeper Oscar Ustari and nestled into the far corner.
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Any hopes of a Red Bulls comeback were extinguished in the second half when Messi delivered a moment of magic in the 67th minute. Linking up seamlessly with Telasco Segovia, the Argentine maestro danced past defender Noah Eile before slotting the ball past Coronel with his trademark left-foot finish.
Messi’s goal not only ended his four-match scoring drought but also helped lift Inter Miami to fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, reigniting their MLS campaign and reaffirming their status as title contenders.
The emphatic win and Messi’s return to scoring form are set to boost Inter Miami’s confidence as they push for silverware this season, with fans hopeful that the Argentine legend’s spark will ignite a winning streak.
