Sports

MLS: Lionel Messi On Target As Inter Miami Win - In Pics

Lionel Messi scored twice to increase his Major League Soccer-leading total to seven and also had an assist to lead Inter Miami over Nashville SC 3-1 on Saturday night. Messi, who had his second two-goal game in MLS after scoring two against Orlando on March 2. He has a goal or assist in each of the six league matches he’s played, missing four because of injury. Sergio Busquets scored his first goal with Miami since joining former Barcelona teammate Messi last summer. Inter Miami are now unbeaten in five matches against Nashville since Messi’s arrival. Miami also remained in first place in the Eastern Conference.

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Lionel Messi
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, middle, is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a penalty kick against Nashville SC during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Lionel Messi
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, left, defends against Nashville SC midfielder Amar Sejdic (6) during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Lionel Messi
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) runs with the ball as Nashville SC defender Daniel Lovitz (2) defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Lukas MacNaughton
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Nashville SC defender Lukas MacNaughton (3) blocks a pass by Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Elliot Panicco
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Nashville SC goalkeeper Elliot Panicco (30) defends against Inter Miami's Leo Afonso (73) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Josh Bauer
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Nashville SC defender Josh Bauer (22) defends against Inter Miami defender Franco Negri (33) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Sean Davis
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Nashville SC midfielder Sean Davis (54) cheers as a goal is scored during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Lionel Messi
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi works with the ball as Nashville SC forward Jacob Shaffelburg defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Nashville SC celebrates a goal against Inter Miami during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Lionel Messi
MLS: Inter Miami vs Nashville SC Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) gets up after scoring a goal against Nashville SC during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.