Messi’s Inter Miami beat New York City to reach third straight MLS playoff

What the report says

Inter Miami secured a place in the MLS playoffs for a third consecutive season after beating New York City FC 2-0 on Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera. Lionel Messi was central to the result, assisting the opening goal and helping create the second, while German Berterame ended his scoring drought and Rodrigo De Paul added the other strike before halftime.

The win gave Miami back-to-back victories under head coach Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez, his first such run since taking over last month. Al Jazeera reported that the result guarantees second-placed Miami at least a wild-card playoff berth, with five league matches still remaining. The team also strengthened its hold on home-field advantage in the Eastern Conference, even though first-place Nashville was already out of reach.

Messi, who had scored twice in Miami’s previous match after returning from Argentina duty, remained the main attacking threat. He played a key role in both first-half goals, while Miami also produced a second straight clean sheet after a spell in which it had gone 10 games without one.

For New York City FC, the defeat continued a poor MLS run, with just one win in their last 11 league matches. The result matters because it confirms Miami’s continued place among the league’s playoff teams and suggests the side is finding form at the right time, even as Gonzalez said there is still room to improve.