Lionel Messi scores twice as Inter Miami secure playoff spot

Lionel Messi scored twice, and waved away the chance of a hat-trick, as Inter Miami secured their place in the MLS playoffs with a 4-0 win at New York City FC.

The Argentina captain doubled the home side’s deficit with a lovely goal in the 74th minute, after Baltasar Rodriguez had put Javier Mascherano’s men in front two minutes before half-time.

He then had the chance to score again after Miami were awarded a penalty but instead handed the ball to long-time team-mate Luis Suarez, and he made no mistake.

Messi still had the final word, though, running 50 yards before slotting low past the keeper to complete an emphatic win.

“We are happy and with the tranquility of having achieved the first goal, which was to qualify for the playoffs. Now we’ll try to finish as high as possible in the standings, which would allow us to have home-field advantage,” Mascherano said.

Messi stays hot

Messi has been on a roll recently and now has five goals and three assists in his last three games. But it was his selflessness that impressed Mascherano the most.

“He has done that too many times in his career. Sometimes he looks at some teammates who haven’t scored and need a goal more than him,” Mascherano added.

“He tried to help in this way. For me, it’s great. He tried to show to everyone the team spirit, trying to involve all the players and players that maybe in this case Luis, needed to score. So it’s great.”

Messi and Miami hoping to retain Supporters’ Shield

The MLS Supporters’ Shield is still in Miami’s reach as they look to go back to back in their bid to become the team with the best regular season record.

They are third in the Eastern Conference table, five points behind leaders, the Philadelphia Union, but with two games in hand.

Miami are on the road again this weekend when they visit struggling Toronto FC.

“We are happy because now we are officially qualified for the playoffs. That was very important for us. Now we have to continue moving forward,” Mascherano said.

“We know we have two games in hand, so we will try to rest and recover before going to Toronto. We know how difficult Saturday will be because we have less than 72 hours to play, but we’ll try to play our best and win the game and to qualify as high as possible. If we can win the five remaining games that we have, it will be great and we’ll have that chance to fight for the Supporters’ Shield.”