Messi leads Inter Miami to the playoffs with a 2-0 win over New York City FC
With goals from Mexican Germán Berterame (20') and Argentine Rodrigo De Paul (45+5), the Florida-based team sealed the victory at Nu Stadium in Miami, backed by a solid defensive performance that allowed them to go two games in a row without conceding a goal for the first time this season.
Image of Lionel Messi
Argentine star Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Wednesday as Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 2-0, a win that secured the Herons a spot in the playoffs with five games remaining on the schedule.
With goals by Mexican Germán Berterame (20') and Argentine Rodrigo De Paul (45+5), the Florida-based team sealed the victory at Nu Stadium in Miami, backed by a solid defensive performance that allowed them to go two games without conceding a goal for the first time this season.
Messi reached 119 appearances with the U.S. team and ranks second on the club's all-time list, behind Noah Allen (133).
In just a few weeks on the job, Kily González has managed to bring out the best in Miami in 2026.
The defensive lapses that caused so much damage during Guillermo Hoyos's tenure have disappeared, and other key offensive players, such as Uruguayan Luis Suárez and Germán Berterame, are contributing goals and assists.
A hot night in Miami
It was Berterame who opened the scoring on a hot night in Miami. The former Rayados de Monterrey forward put the finishing touch on a great team play that began with a pass from Messi and continued with a brilliant assist from Suárez.
Berterame, 27, hadn't scored for Inter Miami since his two-goal performance on May 24 against the Philadelphia Union.
Between those two goals, Berte missed out on the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and was considered for the new roster of the Mexican national team led by coach Rafael Márquez.
Las Garzas' second goal came in stoppage time of the first half, when Messi once again stepped up with an assist for his teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
The 2022 World Cup champion with Argentina in Qatar fired a shot from the edge of the box straight into the corner, leaving U.S. national team goalkeeper Matt Freese with no chance.
The New York team arrived in Miami in disarray, having won just one of its last 11 MLS matches.
Messi, who had just scored a brace in the previous match, reached 14 assists for the season and continues to strengthen his case for the 2026 Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
With this week's victory, Inter Miami has 52 points and remains in second place in the Eastern Conference, a distant 14 points behind leader Nashville.
In the Supporters' Shield standings—which combine both conferences and determine spots in international competitions—they are in third place.
Griezmann and Nashville unstoppable
Griezmann, in his thirteenth game of the season, scored the Florida team's second goal, bringing their total to 38 points and placing them seventh in the Eastern Conference, occupying the final spot for direct qualification to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Nashville, the undisputed leader of the East, routed Sporting Kansas City 4-0.
Honduran Andy Najar and Costa Rican William Madrigal scored two of the goals for the MLS leader.
The Tennessee team now has 66 points and is on the verge of breaking the regular-season points record of 74, set by Inter Miami in 2024.
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