Lionel Messi scored twice and had a hand in two others as Inter Miami fought back to beat FC Cincinnati 5-3 away in the MLS on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
With the World Cup in North America less than a month away, Argentina captain Messi is in excellent form, AFP said. <\/p>\n
He has 11 goals in 12 MLS matches this season, Miami’s latest victory boosting them into second place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points. <\/p>\n
Messi opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a fortuitous rebound off a poor clearance by Matt Miazga. <\/p>\n
It was 1-1 at half-time after Kevin Denkey’s 41st-minute penalty, then Pavel Bucha scored from close range to put the hosts 2-1 up soon after the break. <\/p>\n
Messi struck again in the 55th minute, finishing off a flowing Miami attack with a left-footed shot from a cross by Rodrigo De Paul. <\/p>\n
Cincinnati’s Brazilian playmaker Evander put the hosts back in front again with a blast from outside the box in the 64th minute, his seventh goal in six matches. <\/p>\n
But Messi set up a goal for young fellow Argentine Mateo Silvetti in the 79th minute, with Mexico international German Berterame scoring again for 4-3. <\/p>\n
Messi forced the final goal in the 89th minute. <\/p>\n
The 38-year-old launched himself at a cross from Silvetti and struck it with his right foot, the ball crashing off the post and deflecting in off goalkeeper Roman Celentano for an own goal. <\/p>\n
Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos was full of praise for his side. <\/p>\n
“What they did today was brilliant, against a tough team and on a difficult pitch,” he said. <\/p>\n
“It\u2019s very hard to play here. It\u2019s clear they\u2019re not here to stroll around MLS. <\/p>\n
“They’re here to play, to give everything, and to show the world that football is played here too.” <\/p>\n
He added: “We\u2019re leaving very happy. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“We were able to play football at a very high level.” <\/p>\n