WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami cruised to a 3-1 away MLS win over Atlanta United on Saturday.
German Berterame put the visitors ahead on the stroke of halftime by meeting Luis Suarez's cross with a header at the far post.
Miami doubled the lead in the 56th minute and this time Berterame was the provider, playing a slick one-two with Messi, who skipped around his marker and drilled a shot past goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos.
Messi struck again four minutes later when he ran onto Suarez's pass and dribbled around Junior Alonso before finishing clinically into the far corner.
The hosts pulled a goal back through Fafa Picault's 89th-minute penalty but the Florida outfit held on to secure its 15th win of the campaign.
"I can't believe this guy does what he does at 39 years of age," Miami manager Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez told a post-match press conference. "And what makes me happiest is that he's happy. If he's enjoying his football he performs the way he did tonight."
The result leaves Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference with 55 points from 30 games while Atlanta is 14th in the 15-team group with 30 points. ■
