Lionel Messi scores twice as Inter Miami defeat Revolution

Thanks to two goals from the Argentine sensation, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami easily defeated the Revolution for the second consecutive year.

In the 2-1 victory, Messi, 38, scored twice in the first half in front of 43,293 spectators who were buzzing every time he touched the ball. There was enough to rejoice about because of his pivotal role in the game, scoring 71 touches while scuttling in and out of midfield to aid his team create multiple chances.

Given Miami’s hectic schedule following the Club World Cup, there was a lot of pregame curiosity over whether the experienced World Cup winner would start. However, the main attraction, Messi, did not let anyone down as he played a whole ninety minutes.

It was also another year of enduring the traveling circus that is the Messi-Miami experience for loyal Revolution supporters who were just trying to watch their team play at home: fans clad in the away team’s pink jerseys, stretching into the upper decks, cheering loudest for the star of the away team.

New England waited until the 27th minute to hit the self-destruct button after starting the game in a comparatively calm manner. Tanner Beason, the center-back for the Revolution, nodded the ball directly into Messi’s path while trying to play a safe header back to teammate Mamadou Fofana. Messi simply put the ball into the net from close range to give Miami the lead in what was likely one of the simpler goals in his more than 870-goal career:

Messi is here!Miami leads the New England team 1-0.xwuiAK3vLN pic.twitter.com/

Messi delivered one more eleven minutes later. This time, it came from a more conventional source: Sergio Busquets, a longtime teammate. The former Barcelona holding midfielder split New England’s defense with a beautiful through-ball.

Messi made it 2-0 by coolly shooting past Revolution goalie Alijaz Ivacic after expertly latching onto the pass:

It’s two for Leo!Messi is wearing a brace for the fourth consecutive MLS match.image.twitter.com/D3Lyt82sd4

Despite creating numerous opportunities in response, the Revolution repeatedly lacked a final touch. Though it was too little, too late for New England, a goal from Carles Gil in the 80th minute gave the home team some hope.

Since 2016, Hayden Bird has been employed at Boston.com as a sports staff writer. He covers every aspect of New England sports.