Messi puts his team on the verge of the playoffs.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Gulf - Follow-ups: Veteran Argentinian star Lionel Messi put his Inter Miami team on the verge of securing qualification for the final stages (playoffs) of the American Football League (MLS), by scoring twice in the 3-2 victory over D.C. United on Saturday. Inter Miami took the lead in the 35th minute when Messi passed the ball to Tadeo Allende, who outmaneuvered goalkeeper Luis Barraza and put it in the net, but Belgian Christian Benteke equalized for D.C. United at the start of the second half (52). Inter Miami returned to the lead in the 66th minute thanks to Messi, who secured the victory for his team by scoring the third goal in the 85th minute, after his compatriot Mateo Silvetti missed a penalty kick in the 72nd minute, sending the ball over the crossbar. Messi raised his tally to 22 goals in 22 games, leading the top scorers list by one goal ahead of Nashville SC's English striker Sam Surridge. As the match was drawing to a close, Jacob Murrell narrowed the gap for D.C. United but too late (90+7), giving Inter Miami the three points that raised their score to 52 points in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Inter Miami is now very close to joining Philadelphia Union, the leader, and FC Cincinnati and New York City FC, which have already secured their qualification for the playoffs in the East. The top nine teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs, and Inter Miami is 9 points ahead of tenth-placed New York Red Bulls with three games less than the latter. Inter Miami has six games remaining in the regular season, meaning their qualification is almost certain.