The Argentine superstar scored his 173rd career brace and added an assist in a 3-2 home victory in the MLS.
Released on September 21, 2025
Lionel Messi scored 21st and 22nd goals to move on to the Major League Soccer (MLS) lead, adding his 12th assist and visiting Intermiami to DC United for a 3-2 victory.
Tadeo Allende scored the Miami opener (15-6-7, 52 points) on Saturday night, completing his first consecutive victory in the league since his three consecutive wins from July 5-12.
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That alone is enough to bring the heron to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, keeping East Leader Philadelphia’s eight points, with three games still in hand.
Christian Benteke scored his eighth goal and supported his third in DC (5-16-10, 25 points).
Alternate Jacob Murrell added DC’s late comfort target after Messi’s late brace pushed Miami into a 3-1 lead.
Messi moved up Nashville’s Sam Salridge in the MLS Golden Boots Chase after Salridge began the night with 21 goals, but failed to score in a 3-2 loss in Orlando.
And Messi might have done a hat-trick on another night, given the frequency with which he threatened Louis Baraza’s goals in the second half.
He made two saves for Baraza, but only recovered Miami’s lead on the 66th, when Benteke leveled 1-1 in the 53rd minute.
With DC defending narrowly with its own box, Jordi Alba took a pass from Ian Fray, and Messi cleverly returned to the play from an offside position.
Alba made the perfect pass among the DC defenders and was able to find Messi with his back on goal, who calmly finished past Baraza.
In the 72nd minute, Miami’s Mateo Silvetti hit the crossbar with a penalty he earned after beaten Baraza to a ball in a box.
However, Messi provided hermites with the necessary insurance on the 85th. This time, Sergio’s basket provided a pass outside the box, and Messi did most of the work himself, dribbling as the defender before unleashing the shot from the edge of the area where he pounds Baraza to the top left corner.
