Messi bags brace for Inter Miami after Argentina retirement

Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami defeated DC United 4-0, marking his first appearance since announcing his retirement from international football.

Four days after scoring in his final match for Argentina, the 39-year-old forward struck in the 47th and 60th minutes to help the defending Major League Soccer (MLS) champions secure a convincing victory.

The win was only Miami’s second in their previous 11 league matches and lifted them to second in the Eastern Conference with 49 points from 28 games, improving their hopes of becoming the first team to win consecutive MLS titles since the LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012.

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez scored twice in the first half to give Miami control of the contest. He opened the scoring in the third minute, firing a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the top-left corner.

Suarez doubled the advantage in the 39th minute with his 16th goal of the campaign. German forward Berterame provided the assist for both of the striker’s goals.

Messi extended Miami’s lead two minutes after the restart, finishing with his left foot following a pass from Suarez. He struck again in the 60th minute, evading three defenders before finding the net to complete the 4-0 victory.

The Argentine remains among the league’s leading attacking players, having recorded 23 goals and 13 assists. He is also pursuing a third consecutive MLS Most Valuable Player award as Miami target another championship.

Elsewhere, Toronto FC rallied from behind to beat Montreal 2-1 in a Canadian derby, scoring twice in stoppage time.

Mexican forward Daniel Rios put Montreal ahead in the 52nd minute before Scottish striker Lewis Morgan equalised in the third minute of added time. American midfielder Djordje Mihailovic then scored the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

“Now I’ve scored on both sides of this derby,” Mihailovic said. “It feels good.”

The victory ended Toronto’s three-game losing streak and moved the club to within a point of an Eastern Conference playoff position.

In Chicago, the 10-man Fire defeated New York City FC 2-1 after Swiss forward Maren Haile-Selassie scored in the 87th minute.

Austrian midfielder Hannes Wolf gave New York City the lead in the 19th minute, while Chicago midfielder Dje D’Avilla was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 43rd minute.

Swedish midfielder Anton Saletros equalised for Chicago in the 55th minute before Haile-Selassie secured the win late in the match.