Messi nets 899th goal as Inter Miami see off DC United | OneFootball

Lionel Messi was one step away from another scoring milestone as Inter Miami secured their second victory of the Major League Soccer season with a 2-1 triumph over DC United on Saturday.

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Close to the 900th goal

Messi, who scored twice in Miami's victory in the Florida derby against Orlando last week, netted his third goal of the season with a subtle chip finish at 27 minutes at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The Argentine star's 80th goal for Miami brings his career total to 899, leaving him just one shy of reaching the 900-goal mark.

Career numbers: Barcelona, PSG, and Argentina

The winner of eight Ballon d'Ors, who turns 39 in June, scored 672 goals for Barcelona early in his career and 32 for Paris Saint-Germain, along with another 115 international goals for Argentina.

Miami climbs in the Eastern Conference and leads 2-0 in the 1st half

Saturday's victory placed the current MLS champions in third place in the Eastern Conference, with six points from three games.

Miami, which on Thursday was a guest of President Donald Trump at a reception at the White House, opened the scoring at 17 minutes with a beautiful curling shot from the edge of the area by Messi's Argentine national team colleague, Rodrigo De Paul.

Messi then extended Miami's lead 10 minutes later, capitalizing on a superb through ball from Mateo Silvetti and chipping the ball first-time over the advancing DC United goalkeeper, Sean Johnson.

DC United's late response, but Inter Miami holds on for the win

United responded after the break and gained hope when Israeli forward Tai Baribo pulled one back at 75 minutes.

Miami, however, managed to hold off United in the final minutes to confirm the victory.

* With content from AFP.

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