📝 Messi and Alba connect to help Miami thump titleholders LAFC | OneFootball

Inter Miami continued their push to the playoffs in the still-fresh Leo Messi era, defeating MLS Cup titleholders LAFC away from home. Here is what went down in southern California.

Scorers: Hollingshead 90′ ; Farías 14′, Alba 51′, Campana 83′

A new-look Miami set up with Leo Messi in a strike partnership appeared to surprise the reigning champions LAFC.

The Herons did not wait long to snatch the lead and stun a boisterous BMO Stadium, as Facundo Farías stabbed home from an awkward angle while sliding to the ground to beat John McCarthy.

LAFC had their share of chances to reclaim parity but the hosts were wasteful on the break.

They were punished after the break by Inter Miami’s superstars. After picking up the ball in space, Messi picked out Jordi Alba in behind the LAFC defence before the full-back fired home to double the Floridians’ advantage.

Messi turned provider once again to kill the home side off, playing in Leo Campana who side-footed home to spark a mass exodus inside the ground.

A stoppage time goal from Ryan Hollingshead cut Miami’s lead to two in the dying minutes, but it would not be enough for the champions to come storming back.

Another win for Miami sees their gap on the MLS Cup playoff spots shrink to eight points.