Lionel Messi shines once again in his Inter Miami club jersey. He has been in tremendous form for Inter Miami since the start of this season. With Messi's dominance, Inter Miami crossed the group stage and secured a place in the playoffs. Now they have achieved their first victory in the MLS playoff series. Miami won 4-0 against Nashville. Messi scored a double goal and provided one assist for the team. For the first time in the club's history, Inter Miami reached the playoff series semi-final. Messi completed 400 assists in his international career.
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Inter Miami was loosing 1-2 to Nashville in the first leg match. But they bounced back in the second leg. Miami was seen in an attacking rhythm from the start at their home ground. Lionel Messi scored a double in the first half itself. The first goal came in the 10th minute. He brought back memories of the old days. Getting the ball in midfield, he cuts past four opposition players and scores with a powerful shot. In the 39th minute, Messi scored his second goal after getting the ball from a mistake by Nashville's defenders.
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They maintained their dominance in the second half as well. This time, young striker Tadeo Allende scored a double. In the 73rd minute, Jordi Alba entered the box playing a one-two with Messi. Allende did not miss scoring from that cross.
Three minutes later, Messi extended a pass from midfield past the defenders. Allende scored by chipping over Nashville's goalkeeper's head. Winning this match, Inter Miami reached the MLS playoff cup semi-final. Miami's opponent in that match on the 22nd will be Cincinnati.
Messi set a record in this match as well. He became the only active footballer to complete 400 assists, combining club and country jerseys. And if he provides assists four more times, he will touch Ferenc Puskas's all-time record for most assists (404). Playing three matches in the playoff stage, Messi has already scored five goals and provided two assists.
