Luis Suarez netted a hat-trick within 12 minutes, and Lionel Messi delivered a record-setting performance as Inter Miami triumphed over the New York Red Bulls 6-2 in Major League Soccer.
The visiting New York team initially held a 1-0 lead at halftime on Saturday, but the game turned dramatically in the second half starting with two goals from Miami substitute Matias Rojas.
Messi provided five assists and scored a goal himself, marking a total of six goal contributions in the match, setting a new record for an MLS game.
At 36, the Argentine forward has already tallied 10 goals and 12 assists in just eight league games this season.
Meanwhile, 37-year-old Suarez, who joined Miami from Brazilian club Gremio, has scored 10 goals in his first 11 league games. His move reunited him with Messi, his former teammate at Barcelona.
Rojas quickly nullified Dante Vanzeir’s initial goal three minutes into the second half, followed by Messi scoring off a pass from Suarez to put Miami ahead. Rojas added his second goal before Messi assisted all three of Suarez’s goals. Suarez’s trio included a volley from a Messi cross, a close-range finish following a one-two with Messi, and another from close range.
Emil Forsberg later converted a penalty for the Red Bulls, who dropped from third to fourth in the Eastern Conference, ending their six-match unbeaten streak.
This shift marks a stark contrast to the beginning of the Red Bulls’ unbeaten run in March, which started with a 4-0 home victory over Miami. Since that loss, Miami has gone on a six-game unbeaten streak in the league, now leading the Eastern Conference standings.