Messi Carry Miami Enter MLS Playoff Battle With Cincinnati

Argentine football legend Lionel Messi shine bright as he score two goals and give two assists to help Inter Miami hammer Nashville 4-0 for di MLS Cup playoffs. Messi open scoring for di 10th minute, add another one for di 39th, then setup im countryman Tadeo Allende for two quick goals for di 73rd and 76th minute wey seal Miami victory. Miami coach Javier Mascherano hail Messi performance, talk say e crazy to see am dey press high at 38 years old. “We sabi Leo with ball, but wetin e do without ball today shock me,” Mascherano yarn. Di win make Inter Miami carry di best-of-three Eastern Conference first-round series 2-1, book dia next match with FC Cincinnati wey beat Columbus 2-1. Mascherano talk say di team play almost perfect, intense from start, well-organized and sharp for high pressing. Di eight-time Ballon d’Or winner make sure say Miami no face another early exit like di last two seasons.

Mascherano add say e for pain well well if dem don lose again at dis stage, but now di team dey ready face forward. For di other match, Minnesota United shock Seattle 7-6 on penalty after 3-3 draw, booking dia place for di next round against whoever win between Portland and San Diego. Miami striker Luis Suarez miss di game as MLS suspend am one match for violent conduct against Nashville. Messi two goals come from pure class, one left-foot shot wey curl enter bottom corner, another from outside box off pass from Argentine rookie Mateo Silvetti. Allende double come after Messi and Jordi Alba combine well for point-blank finish, before e chip another ball from long Messi pass enter net. For Cincinnati side, Jacen Russell-Rowe give Columbus lead before Brenner Souza score two for di 67th and 86th minute send Cincinnati to face Miami. Mascherano talk say di semifinal go tough, but e believe say di team don find dia rhythm for di right time.