Messi’s typically crafty effort after scurrying through three defenders in the 83rd minute was enough to secure three points, with an own goal by his teammate Ian Fray four minutes later ruled out for a marginal offside. Lionel Messi’s late strike catapulted Inter Miami above New England and into second place with a tense 2-1 comeback victory over their MLS Eastern Conference rivals Sunday. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar also provided an improvised assist off the back of his head for German Berterame, after Daniel Gazdag had put New England in front early in the second half.
Columbus Crew and Orlando City both qualified after 10th-placed New York Red Bulls lost 3-2 to runaway leaders Nashville.
After a goalless first half, New England’s Peyton Miller slipped down the right flank to the byline in the 53rd minute. His cut-back pass was backheeled by Ilay Feingold to Gazdag, who smashed the ball home. In the 69th minute, Telasco Segovia flicked a ball high into the box toward Messi, who was racing forward between two defenders but somehow headed it blindly off the back of his head to Berterame, who scored. Messi got on the scoresheet himself in the 83rd minute, collecting the ball just outside the D, spinning and skipping past three tackles before wrapping his left foot around the ball and sending it low into the far corner past US national team goalkeeper Turner.
