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Lionel Messi had an MLS-record six goal contributions, Luis Suarez scored three times and Matias Rojas recorded a brace as Inter Miami thumped the New York Red Bulls 6-2 on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Messi, who was named MLS Player of the Month for the month of April, scored once and added five assists as Miami (7-2-3, 24 points) extended its unbeaten streak to six matches and improved to 6-0-2 in league matches in which Messi has appeared in.
The loss snapped New York's six-match unbeaten streak. Dante Vanzeir and Emil Forsberg had the goals for the Red Bulls (4-2-5, 17 points), who dropped to 6-4-0 in regular-season play against Miami.
Miami scored twice in a two-minute span early in the second half to erase a 1-0 deficit.
Rojas was brought on for David Ruiz to start the second half and immediately made an impact, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 48th minute by putting a left-footed strike past a leaping Carlos Coronel. Messi picked up an assist on the goal.
BANGERS ONLY
What a hit from Matias Rojas for the @InterMiamiCF goal! pic.twitter.com/OxrQBjxR4T— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 5, 2024
Then, in the 50th minute, Messi put a left-footed strike off a Suarez pass into the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season. The Argentine has goals in his past seven league matches.
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
Miami took a 3-1 lead in the 62nd minute, as Rojas put a Messi through ball up and over Coronel.
OMG WHAT A PASS FROM MESSI
Matias Rojas bags a brace! pic.twitter.com/BN9YFLmeqx— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 5, 2024
Suarez made it 4-1 in the 69th minute, redirecting a Messi pass for his eighth goal of the season.
That Messi to Luis Suarez connection is unstoppable! @LuisSuarez9 scores off the volley for his 8th goal of the season and @InterMiamiCF is cruising. pic.twitter.com/5QQAdvp93R
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 5, 2024
In the 75th minute, Suarez completed a give-and-go with Messi to make it 5-1.
MESSI TO LUIS SUAREZ AGAIN!
Incredible run from the goat to set up his fourth assist as @LuisSuarez9 bags the brace. pic.twitter.com/wG0LCRPx6S— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 5, 2024
Suarez completed the hat trick in the 81st minute, taking a Messi through ball and getting around a diving Coronel for his 10th goal of the season.
LUIS SUAREZ HAT TRICK!
MESSI'S 5TH ASSIST IN THE HALF!TAKE A BOW YOU TWO. pic.twitter.com/7zqbYXkex6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 5, 2024
6/5 - Lionel Messi has recorded six goal contributions and five assists in a match each for the first time in his career for club and country. Domination. pic.twitter.com/l9bUcEJLj7
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) May 5, 2024
Forsberg was awarded a second-half stoppage-time penalty kick and scored to cut Miami's lead to four.
Miami dominated time of possession in the first half, but it was New York that had two shots on target and a 1-0 lead at the halftime whistle.
The Red Bulls opened the scoring in the 30th minute. Wikelman Jose Carmona's strike hit the post, and the rebound bounced to Vanzeir, who put it past a diving Drake Callender for his second goal of the season.
--Field Level Media
