Messi’s two goals and first-half assist lift Inter Miami past DC United as he moves ahead in MLS Golden Boot race

Lionel Messi continued his dominant form in Major League Soccer on Saturday night(September 20), delivering a first-half assist and two second-half goals to lead Inter Miami to a thrilling 3-2 victory over DC United. Messi set up first-year midfielder Tadeo Allende for the opening goal in the 35th minute, marking his 12th assist of the season, tied for fourth-most in the league. Inter Miami carried a 1-0 lead into halftime.

DC United equalized in the 53rd minute when Christian Benteke converted a pass from Brandon Servania, marking Benteke’s ninth goal of the season and 47th of his career. Servania notched his third assist of the campaign, matching his career high.

Messi regained the lead for Inter Miami in the 66th minute, scoring the go-ahead goal before adding insurance in the 85th. Defender Jordi Alba collected his 10th assist of the season on Messi’s first goal, while Sergio Busquets notched his seventh assist on the second. With 22 goals this season, Messi now leads the MLS Golden Boot race by one goal over Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge.


DC United pulled within one in stoppage time, as Jacob Murrell scored his second goal of the season with assists from Benteke and Rida Zouhir, who both tallied their second assists. Goalkeeper Óscar Ustari finished with four saves for Inter Miami, now 15-6-7, in his 22nd start. Luis Barraza made four saves for DC United, which dropped to 5-16-10.

Inter Miami sits fifth in the Eastern Conference and will face fourth-place New York City FC at Citi Field on Wednesday, trailing by one point with two matches in hand. DC United will host the Philadelphia Union in the next match.