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In a scintillating second half, substitute Matias Rojas ignited the onslaught for Eastern Conference frontrunners Inter Miami after New York had seized a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Miami, without Messi, had suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat to the Red Bulls in New York back in March. However, they exacted sweet revenge with a merciless second-half masterclass.
Messi’s quintet of assists, all orchestrated after the halftime break, etched a new milestone in MLS history, embellishing his season tally to an impressive ten goals and 12 assists in just eight league outings.
Operating in tandem with Suarez, Messi’s surgical precision in threading passes through the tightest of spaces. His innate synergy with his former Barcelona mate proved overwhelming for the Red Bulls, who entered the fixture as formidable contenders in the East.
“Obviously, what we have seen today surprises people because you don’t see that in football,” said Suarez of Messi’s five assists.
“But as a teammate and someone who knows him, nothing surprises me about him,” added the Uruguayan.
The 37-year-old Suarez’s hat-trick takes his personal tally to an astonishing ten goals in 11 league appearances for Miami. Despite the waning of his once-blistering pace, his predatory instincts in front of goal remain razor-sharp.
While the attacking verve showcased by Miami aligns with the aspirations of club owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham, the first half lacked the explosive flair envisioned.
Dante Vanzeir broke the deadlock for the Red Bulls in the 30th minute, capitalizing on Wikelman Carmona’s rebounded effort after a sublime assist from Swedish maestro Emil Forsberg.
Underwhelmed by Inter’s lackluster display in the opening stanza, coach Gerardo Martino’s halftime adjustments proved pivotal in altering the course of the game.
Paraguayan sensation Rojas, introduced in the second half, wasted no time leaving his mark, unleashing a thunderous strike from 25 yards out after being teed up by Messi.
Miami surged ahead courtesy of Messi’s clinical finish, following a steal by Rojas and an astute pass from Suarez.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continued to pull the strings, threading a sublime through ball to Rojas, who delicately chipped the advancing Carlos Coronel.
Suarez then embarked on a goal-scoring spree, notching his first from a Messi delivery, before showcasing telepathic understanding with a one-two play with Messi to extend Miami’s lead to 5-1.
Messi’s magic culminated in Miami’s sixth goal, with Suarez applying the finishing touch from an improbable angle.
“The partnership of him (Messi) and Luis (Suarez) in the second half worked very well, like in old times (…) They were very influential in the game,” said Martino.
New York salvaged a late consolation with a penalty converted by Forsberg in the match’s dying moments.
