Argentine superstar Lionel Messi set up a decisive goal for compatriot Rodrigo De Paul, while Mexican striker Germán Berterame ended his scoring drought as Inter Miami secured a place in the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs with a victory over visiting New York City FC.
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Argentine coach Cristian “Kily” González recorded his first consecutive wins since taking charge last month. The result secured second-placed Inter Miami, with 52 points behind Nashville on 66, at least a wild-card spot with five rounds remaining.
Finishing second also gives Inter Miami the advantage of playing at home during the playoffs.
“I’m happy. Obviously, there is a lot we need to improve, but we are making gradual progress,” González said.
Messi, who scored twice on Saturday after returning to Inter Miami following an emotional farewell to Argentina’s national team the previous week, played a key role in the match, contributing to both first-half goals.
In the 20th minute, Messi received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and passed it to De Paul, who then played it to Uruguayan Luis Suárez. The move gave Berterame, the Argentine-born former Barcelona striker, a simple opportunity to score his first goal since May.
De Paul doubled the lead with a swift counterattack. Berterame carried the ball from the halfway line and spotted Messi to his right. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner drew three defenders before using his left foot to pass to his compatriot, who fired a powerful shot into the upper-right corner in stoppage time at the end of the first half (45+5).
In a goalless second half, Messi curled a shot from outside the penalty area over the crossbar.
In the 90th minute, Messi took a short corner to De Paul, who unleashed a shot from outside the box towards the far upper corner. International goalkeeper Matt Freese produced an excellent save, turning the ball onto the post.
New York City FC, who had won only once in their previous 11 league matches, had a chance to reduce the deficit in stoppage time after Jamaican substitute Ian Fray brought down fellow substitute Talles Magno of Portugal in the penalty area. However, Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made an impressive save, tipping the ball over the crossbar.
Inter Miami kept a clean sheet for the second consecutive match after conceding goals in each of their previous 10 games.
González, 52, added: “I liked the way we dropped back into our defensive shape. We were not caught off guard by counterattacks, and we were very aggressive, stopping their attacks whenever it looked as though they might launch a sudden transition.”
He continued: “Our passing was perhaps a little slow at times, but that is how the match unfolded.”
Source: AFP
