WATCH: Lionel Messi sets MLS records with five assists and goal as Inter Miami thrash New York Red Bulls 6-2

New Delhi: Star duo of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez took centre stage as a rampant Inter Miami crushed the New York Red Bulls 6-2 at Florida’s Chase Stadium in Major League Soccer on Saturday. Messi made it a record outing for himself and partnered with Suarez to plot the New York Red Bulls’ destruction, all in the second half.

The Eastern Conference leaders made a brilliant comeback after trailing 1-0 at halftime all due to the courtesy of two-goal substitute Matias Rojas. The Red Bulls had defeated a Messi-less Miami back in March and Inter paid them all back with their ferocious second-half performance. It was Dante Vanzeir who handed New York a lead in the 30th minute.

Inter Miami’s first-half performance was lackluster which called upon Rojas’ incoming for the second half. He made an impact just three minutes into the field as he collected a pass from Messi and evaded two defenders before unleashing a terrific drive from 25 yards behind.

As they say, Messi entering the scoresheet is inevitable, and Miami was 2-1 up when Rojas dispossessed Wikelman Carmona and found Suarez who set up the World Cup winner for a clinical finish. Messi set up another when while splitting the New York defense and providing a brilliant pass to Rojas who chipped over Carlos Coronel to score a brace.

Just when the game was reaching the final moments, Luis Suarez entered the scoresheet netting a hat-trick, all with the help of Messi’s setups. He first volleyed a chipped ball from Messi and minutes later played a passing game with Messi before striking the ball into the net and taking Miami 5-1 up. The sixth goal for Miami arrived when Suarez turned another Messi pass from close range with a tight angle.

New York, although scored a late penalty which was more of a consolatory goal as Emil Forsberg netted the second for NY Red Bulls. Inter Miami are table toppers with 24 points while the Red Bulls sit fourth with 17 points

Watch Messi’s heroic assists here –

MESSI IS A CHEAT CODE 🐐

▪️ Record for assists in a game (5)
▪️ Record for goal contributions in a game (6)
▪️ And he did it all in the second half pic.twitter.com/Zc3g5fjakf

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 5, 2024

Watch Messi’s goal here –

Lionel Messi goals are inevitable! 🚨

The first player to 10 goals this season puts @InterMiamiCF on top. pic.twitter.com/GuUEShfmdb

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 5, 2024

Messi sets MLS records

With his five assists, Messi set a new MLS record for most assists in a game. Also, his six-goal involvements also set the record for most goal contributions in a single game. The star footballer now has 10 goals and 12 assists in eight league appearances so far this season.