Messi brace lifts Inter Miami to 3-1 win in Atlanta

Lionel Messi scored twice in four minutes as Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 3-1 for a third straight victory, with the club already having secured a playoff berth. Messi leads the MLS scoring chart with 25 goals and also recorded an assist to move level with Son Heung-min atop the assists table. Fafa Picault pulled one back for Atlanta from the penalty spot in the 89th minute. Elsewhere, Minnesota ended St. Louis City’s 19-match unbeaten run with a 3-2 win, while Philadelphia and Charlotte drew 2-2.