Miami triumphs in Messi show

Lionel Messi guided Inter Miami past D.C. United in a high-scoring contest, as the superstar set up a goal and scored twice to move to the top of the league scoring charts.

Messi assisted first-year midfielder Tadeo Allende in the 35th minute, giving Miami a 1-0 lead at halftime. It was Messi’s 12th assist of the season, tied for fourth in MLS, while Allende celebrated his eighth goal.

D.C. United fought back in the 53rd minute when Christian Benteke converted a pass from Brandon Servania, leveling the score. The goal marked Benteke’s ninth of the season and 47th in his MLS career, while Servania notched his third assist, matching his personal best.

Messi regained the lead for Inter Miami in the 66th minute and added an insurance goal in the 85th, bringing his season tally to 22 one ahead of Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge in the Golden Boot race. Defender Jordi Alba and midfielder Sergio Busquets assisted Messi’s goals, taking their season totals to 10 and 7, respectively.

In stoppage time, Jacob Murrell scored D.C. United’s second goal, cutting the deficit to 3-2, with Benteke and Rida Zouhir providing assists.

Goalkeeper Óscar Ustari made four saves for Inter Miami, now 15-6-7, while Luis Barraza also saved four shots for D.C. United, who sit 5-16-10.

Inter Miami travels to face New York City FC on Wednesday, trailing the fourth-placed side by a single point but with two games in hand. D.C. United will host Philadelphia Union on Saturday.