Inter Miami qualifies for playoffs with Messi's brace and assist in New York

Inter Miami cruised to a 4-0 victory over New York City FC on Wednesday at Citi Field in New York to qualify for the MLS playoffs, with Lionel Messi looking the part with two goals and an assist.

The Argentine star, 38, reached 24 goals on the year and is the lone scoring leader of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.

It is the first time in its history that Inter Miami has qualified for the playoffs in two consecutive years.

With tonight's win, Inter Miami moves up to third place in the Eastern Conference standings and is five points behind the Philadelphia Union, with two games in hand, which leads the fight for the Supporters' Shield.

"We played a very good game, even though it was hard-fought, we are happy but we have to be realistic and if they scored in the first half, we could have gone down or even," acknowledged Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.

He opted for a lineup with speed on the flanks, with Matteo Silvetti and Baltasar Rodríguez, while Noah Allen returned to the starting lineup in central defense to counteract the speed of New York City's attackers.

Allen, 21, a product of the Inter Miami academy, reached 100 appearances for the club.

The home side had the first clear chances to score: Thiago Martins missed with a header in front of goalkeeper Ustari, and minutes later, Nicolás Fernández smashed a ball against the post.

Inter Miami's first chance ended up in the back of the net when Messi slipped a perfect ball that left Rodríguez in front of the opposing goal and with a soft touch beat Matt Freese in the 43rd minute.

Miami closed the game in the 74th minute with a wonderful finish by Messi off a pass from Sergio Busquets, and nine minutes later with a goal from the penalty spot by Uruguayan Luis Suárez.

The icing on the cake was when the World Cup champion beat two defenders, entered the box and scored with his right foot to make it 4-0.

Mascherano noted that Messi won a penalty kick for the second consecutive match for one of his teammates.

Messi on a roll

The Argentine star, who will play in the MLS playoffs for the second time in his career, has three consecutive games with at least one goal and one assist, a streak that leaves him as a serious candidate for the Most Valuable Player award for the 2025 season.

Inter Miami will travel from New York to Toronto, where it will fulfill its weekend commitment, then return home for three consecutive games at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., all against playoff-eliminated opponents.