Lionel Messi's hat trick helps Inter Miami set MLS points record

Lionel Messi's hat trick led Inter Miami to an MLS points record in a single season after their 6-2 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday at MLS Decision Day in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Despite only entering the game in the 58th minute, Messi set up Benjamin Cremaschi's opener just seconds after the superstar striker came off the bench. Messi then scored the last three of Miami's six unanswered goals after the Herons trailed 2-0 for 39 minutes.

Miami (22-4-8, 74 points) broke the previous mark of 73 points set by the 2021 Revolution team. With the points record and the Supporters' Shield secured, the Herons now want to end the story by capturing the MLS Cup.

Luis Suarez scored two goals and two assists, with both goals coming within four minutes of each other in the first half.

Both Messi and Suarez finished their first full MLS seasons with 20 goals each. Messi also provided 16 assists in his 19 regular season games, while Suarez contributed nine assists in 27 games.

Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero scored goals for the Revolution, whose disappointing season ended with a four-game losing streak. New England (9-21-4, 31 points) finished 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference.

Despite the big deficit in the table, Langoni surprised the Herons just two minutes after the start of the game. New England then extended its lead in the 34th minute thanks to a soft concession from Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender when Borrero's harmless shot rolled through Callender's legs.

Inter Miami had 65.8 percent possession and outscored the Revolution by a margin of 25-8 (11-4 shots on goal). The constant pressure finally broke the Revs in the 40th minute when Suarez scored twice in four minutes to bring the score to 2-2.

All three of Messi's goals came between the 78th and 89th minutes. On the last goal, Suarez managed to jump and cross the ball to Messi at the top, scoring a highlight goal.

Miami's first playoff game is Friday against the winner of the Eastern Conference wild card game between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.

–Field level media