Inter Miami CF made history on Saturday, securing a record-breaking 74 points in the MLS regular season, thanks to Lionel Messi’s breathtaking 11-minute hat-trick against New England Revolution.
The Herons’ campaign finale saw them trail 2-0 early on, but Luis Suarez’s quick-fire brace and Messi’s sublime treble sealed a thrilling 6-2 victory.
New England started strongly, with Luca Langoni scoring inside two minutes, followed by Dylan Borrero’s 34th-minute strike. However, Suarez levelled the contest with goals in the 42nd and 45th minutes.
Messi’s introduction proved pivotal. Combining with Jordi Alba, he set up Benjamin Cremaschi’s 59th-minute winner. The Argentine legend then took centre stage, scoring in the 78th, 80th, and 89th minutes.
Messi’s hat-trick, his second this week after netting one for Argentina against Bolivia, sealed Inter Miami’s record-breaking season. The Herons finished with 74 points, surpassing New England’s 2021 record of 73.
As the No. 1 overall seed, Inter Miami will host the winner of the Eastern Conference Wildcard match between CF Montreal and Atlanta United in the playoffs next weekend.
Image Credit: IMGAN