Miami, Oct. 15 (SANA) Inter Miami secured a place in the 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC on Wednesday, as Lionel Messi assisted Rodrigo De Paul’s goal and Germán Berterame also scored.
Berterame opened the scoring in the 20th minute, finishing a pass from Luis Suárez. Messi then set up De Paul, who fired into the top corner in first-half stoppage time to double Miami’s lead.
New York City FC had a late chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot, but Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair saved Nicolás Fernández Mercau’s attempt to preserve the clean sheet.
Messi recorded four key passes and seven shots, according to Sofascore, which gave him a match rating of 7.6.
The win moved Inter Miami to second in the Eastern Conference with 52 points from 29 matches, keeping the defending champions in pursuit of leaders Nashville SC as they seek to retain the MLS Cup title they won in 2025.
Inter Miami visits Atlanta United on Saturday, while New York City FC host Los Angeles FC in their bid to reach the playoffs.
N.J/MF
