Messi extends his lead in the MLS top scorers' ranking with a brace in 4 minutes

At the same Atlanta stadium where Messi shone during the North American World Cup, the Argentine star scored two brilliant goals to ensure Inter Miami's third consecutive victory.

Argentine-born, Mexican-nationalized Germán Berterame, who gave the visiting team the lead (45), assisted the second goal by passing the ball to Messi, who toyed with the Atlanta defense before shooting with his left foot from the heart of the penalty area (56).

Four minutes later, the 8-time Ballon d'Or winner scored his second personal goal and his team's third, following a run from midfield after a pass from his former Barcelona teammate, Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, bypassing Paraguayan defender Junior Alonso and shooting into the net of his compatriot, goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos.

Messi raised his tally to 4 goals in 3 matches played since his emotional farewell to the Argentine national team following his announcement of international retirement.

The "Little Flea" had contributed to putting Inter Miami in the lead shortly before the end of the first half, when he headed the ball to Suárez inside the penalty area, who sent a cross that Berterame headed into the net.

Messi was credited with an assist, equaling the record of South Korean Son Heung-min (LAFC) at the top of the list of players with the most assists.

Messi is the first player in MLS history to successfully provide at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons.

Inter Miami, which secured its qualification for the playoffs on Wednesday, also achieved its third consecutive victory under the leadership of Argentine coach Cristian "Kily" González, who took over his technical duties last month.

In the 89th minute, Fafa Picault scored a consolation goal for Atlanta from a penalty kick, but the team of Argentine coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino is struggling in terms of results, sitting in the penultimate place in the Eastern Conference.

End of St. Louis streak

St. Louis City's unbeaten streak in the league stopped at 19 matches after losing 2-3 to hosts Minnesota.

St. Louis City, second in the Western Conference and having secured its qualification for the "playoffs" for the first time since 2023, missed the opportunity to hold the record for the longest unbeaten streak in the league, which it now shares with Columbus, Dallas, and Inter Miami.

St. Louis City's record streak of 21 consecutive matches without a loss in all competitions also came to an end.

St. Louis City had not tasted defeat in the league since losing 0-2 to Austin on May 3, having achieved 13 wins and 6 draws during that period.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia, sixth in the Eastern Conference, continued its unbeaten streak to 15 matches after drawing 2-2 with hosts Charlotte FC.

Philadelphia had achieved 8 consecutive wins in the league before settling for a draw.

Since losing 4-6 to Inter Miami on May 24, Philadelphia has achieved 12 wins and 3 draws, collecting 39 points out of a possible 45, since Ryan Richter took charge of the team as interim coach during the break that coincided with the World Cup.

Frenchman Antoine Griezmann once again established himself as the star of his team, Orlando City, by scoring two goals and providing an assist in the 4-1 victory over hosts D.C. United.

With this victory, which was the 12th in 30 matches this season, Orlando maintained its chances in the race to qualify for the playoffs by occupying seventh place in the Eastern Conference, noting that the top seven teams qualify directly.