Messi’s Magic Lifts Inter Miami Past Galaxy

Lionel Messi reminded the soccer world why he remains one of the greatest of all time, coming off the bench to deliver a decisive late surge as Inter Miami defeated the LA Galaxy 3-1 on Saturday night at Chase Stadium.
Making his return from a right hamstring injury that sidelined him for two matches, Messi entered at halftime with the score tied 1-1 and quickly transformed the game. After several missed opportunities, the Argentine superstar broke through in the 84th minute, slipping past defenders before unleashing a left-footed strike from distance to give Miami the lead. Just minutes later, he turned provider, flicking a brilliant backheel assist to longtime friend and teammate Luis Suárez, who slotted home to seal the victory.
The performance was vintage Messi: one goal, one assist, and complete command in the decisive moments. It also marked his 19th goal of the season, keeping him atop the MLS scoring charts, while further cementing his place in league history. With the strike, Messi became the second-fastest player in MLS history to reach 40 career goals, accomplishing the feat in only 44 matches since joining Inter Miami in mid-2023.
Miami had started brightly, taking a 1-0 lead late in the first half when Jordi Alba finished a precise through ball from Sergio Busquets. But defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy equalized in the 59th minute through Joseph Paintsil, setting the stage for Messi’s decisive entrance.
Beyond the victory, Messi’s night carried historical weight. Earlier this year, he became the fastest player ever to record 40 goal contributions in MLS, and his five-match streak of scoring more than twice in each game set another league record. Now at 38 years old, he appears on track for his finest MLS season yet—already tallying 25 goals and 11 assists in 32 appearances, surpassing even his remarkable 2024 campaign.
For Miami, the win was vital after last week’s 4-1 setback at Orlando dropped them to sixth in the Eastern Conference. With Messi back healthy and in form, Inter Miami looks poised not only for a strong playoff push but also to rewrite more of the league’s record books.

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