Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored twice each as Inter Miami ended their five-match winless streak with a 4-0 victory over D.C. United in Miami on Saturday night. Suarez struck twice in the first half before Messi added two goals after the break to complete a convincing win for the hosts.
The victory lifted Inter Miami to second place in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference with 49 points, one ahead of the Chicago Fire. German Berterame provided two assists, while Sergio Reguilon and Rodrigo De Paul also contributed assists. D.C. United, meanwhile, remained on 30 points and fell six points behind FC Cincinnati in the race for the conference’s final postseason play-in spot.
Watch: Luis Suarez Scores Twice To Give Inter Miami Control
Suarez opened the scoring in the third minute, finishing a long, left-footed cross from Berterame past D.C. United goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The move began with Reguilon playing the ball forward to Berterame, who sent a high cross into the box for the Uruguayan striker.
Suarez doubled Inter Miami’s lead in the 39th minute. Messi had a close-range effort saved by Johnson, but Berterame collected the rebound and headed the ball towards Suarez, who finished from close range.
Suarez was substituted in the 61st minute after scoring his 14th and 15th goals of the season. Inter Miami also increased their league-leading team goal tally to 68 with the win.
Watch: Lionel Messi Scores Twice As Inter Miami Complete 4-0 Win
Messi scored his first goal of the night in the 47th minute, extending Inter Miami’s lead to 3-0. His initial effort from the edge of the box was deflected, and Suarez gathered the loose ball before lifting a cross towards the Argentine, who tapped it past Johnson. It was Messi’s league-leading 22nd goal of the MLS season.
The Argentine completed his brace in the 60th minute. He controlled a backheel pass from De Paul, moved past D.C. United defender Lucas Bartlett and fired the ball just inside the far post to make it 4-0.
Johnson made five saves for D.C. United, who managed 14 shots but put only two on target. Matti Peltola came close in the second half, but his effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Inter Miami Keep First Clean Sheet In 10 Matches
The result ended Inter Miami’s five-match winless run and gave them their fifth clean sheet of the season, as well as their first in 10 matches. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair recorded his third shutout of the campaign.
D.C. United’s defeat left them further outside the playoff picture. With 30 points, they are now six points behind FC Cincinnati, who occupy the Eastern Conference’s final postseason play-in position.
With inputs from Reuters.
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