Messi scores winner as Inter Miami overtakes New England
A late goal by the Argentine forward gave the visitors a 2-1 road victory in Foxborough, shifting the Eastern Conference standings with one game left.
By Petra Murphy ·
Lionel Messi scored the winning goal in the 83rd minute to lift Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Sunday night in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The result moved the visitors into second place in the Eastern Conference, overtaking the home side with one regular season match remaining for both teams.
New England took the lead in the 53rd minute through Dániel Gazdag. The forward finished a sequence involving defenders Ilay Feingold and Peyton Miller before shooting past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. It was Gazdag's second goal in 11 appearances this season. Feingold recorded his fifth assist of the campaign, while 18-year-old Miller reached nine, a personal best for the young defender.
The first half ended scoreless as goalkeepers Matt Turner for New England and St. Clair for Miami each made two saves. Inter Miami equalized in the 69th minute when Germán Berterame converted a chance created by Messi and Telasco Segovia. It was Messi's first goal contribution in three matches. Berterame currently has 10 goals and 10 assists in his debut Major League Soccer season.
The final goal came from a pass by Segovia, who is having a career-high season with 12 assists. Messi's strike was his 26th goal of the year, leading the league. His 16 assists tie him for second most in the competition, giving him 42 total goal contributions, nine more than the next player in the standings.
The win improved Inter Miami's record to 16 wins, six losses, and 11 draws. It marked the team's 10th road victory of the season, three more than any other club. St. Clair finished with three saves, helping maintain the visitors' away record of 10 wins, four losses, and three draws. Turner made three saves for New England, who snapped a four-game winning streak. The defeat dropped the hosts to 18 wins, 11 losses, and four draws at home. New England has lost two of its last three home games.
The teams met earlier this year in April for a 1-1 draw in Miami. Inter Miami will conclude its season on Saturday by hosting Charlotte FC. New England travels to Orlando to face Orlando City in its final regular season fixture that same day.
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