MLS scoring leader Inter Miami overcame a 1-0 deficit to defeat the New England Revolution 4-1 on Saturday, thanks in large part to two goals from Lionel Messi.


As a result of his brace, Messi—who leads the MLS in scoring—now has nine goals from just seven games this year. Attendance at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots and the Revolution in Foxborough, Massachusetts, exceeded 65,612 people to witness the Argentine World Cup champion.

Tomas Chancalay, an Argentine, gave New England, who had been infected with the flu in the days leading up to the game and were at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, great joy from the boisterous home crowd in just forty seconds.

The first goal came from a pass from Miami defender Nicolas Freire to Spanish midfielder Carles Gil, who flicked a ball over the top to Chancalay. Chancalay saw Drake Callender well off his line and chipped it over the stranded Miami goalie. In the 32nd minute, Robert Taylor's through pass found Messi, who made no mistake in slotting in to bring Miami back to parity.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner gave Miami the lead again in the 68th minute. He accomplished this by grabbing a wonderful ball from Sergio Busquets, his former Barcelona colleague, which split the defense, and finishing with his customary ease. Miami added two more goals in the last minutes, all of which were made by Messi.

Replace In the 83rd minute, Benjamin Cremaschi scored the game's third goal after a Messi attempt was blocked. After Messi passed inside, Luis Suarez found the top corner to finish the scoring.