Messi reaches 14th goal with Inter Miami in the league this season
The Argentine star is back Lionel Messi He recovered from his injury to score his 13th and 14th MLS goals and contribute his 14th assist in Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union.
https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF/status/1835140442909786589
Messi last played with Miami On June 1, before joining up with Argentina for the Copa America, he has not played any competitive minutes since suffering an ankle ligament injury in the Copa America final on July 14.
Luis Suarez added his 17th goal in second-half stoppage time to stay two behind D.C.’s Christian Benteke at the top of MLS scoring and maintain Miami’s lead in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Meanwhile, Jordi Alba contributed his 11th and 12th assists to Messi’s goals on a night when Miami (62 points) became the first team to surpass the 60-point threshold.
Drake Callender made seven saves as the Herons won their fifth straight game and ninth of 10 despite playing the previous nine games without eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.
Mikael Owerri scored in the opening moments for Union, who began the game in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and two points behind the playoff line.
Philadelphia played better than the final score indicated, outscoring Miami 20-9 in shots and 8-4 in attempts on goal, but was at times frustrated by Callender and others with his misses.
DOUBLE CAPITÁN 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ZwVv9tILU0
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 15, 2024
In the 26th minute, Suarez received Alba’s pass with his back to the goal and passed the ball to his left with his first touch, then Messi received the ball and got rid of Kai Wagner and then shot a ground ball into Andrew Reck’s net.
Four minutes later, Alba passed the ball to Messi who ran towards the penalty spot to put it in the net. Rick got down to the ground and touched the ball, but he couldn’t keep it out.
Go to the columns of Messi 💥 pic.twitter.com/5U0lKSykNk
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 15, 2024
Miami managed to overcome significant pressure in the second half before Messi made his final contribution, passing the ball to Suarez who fired it into the bottom left corner in Miami’s last attack of the match.
