Inter Miami stormed to a 4-0 away win against New York City on Wednesday, with a Lionel Messi brace sealing their spot in the MLS play-offs.

The clash with New York City was one of three games Inter Miami had in hand, stemming from their participation in this summer's FIFA Club World Cup.

Wednesday's victory propels Inter into third place in the Eastern Conference with 55 points, five behind leaders Philadelphia Union, albeit with two games still in hand.

Inter Miami still harbour ambitions of reclaiming the Supporters' Shield, the trophy awarded to the best team in the MLS regular season. On Saturday, Javier Mascherano's men travel to Toronto, one of the league's weaker sides.

New York City, who started without Alonso Martínez in the starting XI, squandered the best chances of the first half, failing to capitalise against Oscar Ustari in the Inter Miami goal, despite the solid defence in front of him.

On the stroke of half-time, in the 43rd minute, Inter Miami took the lead through Baltasar Rodriguez, set up by his compatriot Lionel Messi.

In the second half, Messi himself made it 2-0 in the 74th minute, latching onto a sublime through-ball from Sergio Busquets and lofting it over the advancing goalkeeper Matt Freese.

Luis Suarez then added a third from the penalty spot, after Rodrigo de Paul was brought down. The Uruguayan returned to the starting line-up on Wednesday after serving a three-match suspension for spitting at a Seattle Sounders staff member following the Leagues Cup final defeat. With New York City falling apart, Messi grabbed his second with a fine, sweeping finish in the 86th minute.

The brace propelled Messi back to the top of the MLS scoring charts with 24 goals, two ahead of French forward Denis Bouanga (Los Angeles FC) and three ahead of England's Sam Surridge (Nashville).

B. Rodríguez

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