LInter Miami extended its unbeaten streak to seven games with a 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids on Saturday, as Ionel Messi scored twice and Germund Bertelame scored for the second straight game.
Messi took the lead with a penalty in the 13th minute and scored the winning goal in the 79th minute. After a turnover near Colorado’s midfield, Messi cut back near the right corner of the penalty box, flicked a rising shot that split between two defenders and slid inside the back post.
Messi has scored seven goals this season, tying him with Sam Surridge and Petar Moussa for the most goals in MLS.
Miami (4-1-3) hasn’t lost since losing 3-0 to Los Angeles FC in the season opener.
Yannick Bright was shown the red-hot machine in the 87th minute, and Miami played as the man for the rest of the match.
The Rapids (4-4-0) are on a winning streak, winning three of their last four games.
Bright converted a penalty awarded by Josh Atencio, and Messi converted the penalty to take the lead.
Matteo Silvetti along the right end line hit an arcing cross to the back post, and Belterrame headed home to make it 2-0 in the 5th minute of first-half stoppage time.
Bertalame made his first career start in the 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls last time out and scored his first goal in MLS.
Rafael Navarro scored a goal for the Rapids in the 58th minute. The 26-year-old forward scored two goals in a 6-2 win over Houston last time out and has six goals this season.
Darren Yapi came on as a substitute for Hamzat Ojediran and immediately scored on a counter-attack in the 62nd minute to make it 2-2.
