Messi notches brace in 5th straight game in Miami's win

Inter Miami continued their winning momentum thanks to Lionel Messi’s brilliant form. On Sunday morning, Messi scored twice to secure a 2–1 win over Nashville SC, setting a new MLS record by scoring multiple goals in five consecutive matches.

He opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a stunning low free-kick—his 69th career direct free-kick goal and sixth for Inter Miami. In the 62nd minute, Messi capitalized on a goalkeeping error to slot in his second.

This marked the first time since 2012 that Messi has scored multiple goals in five straight league games. He now has 16 goals in 15 matches, equalling Sam Surridge as the season’s joint top scorer—despite playing six fewer games.

Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar scored their only goal, but Inter Miami held on to claim their fifth straight victory, narrowing the gap with Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati at the top of the Eastern Conference to just five points.