Lionel Messi scores as Inter Miami cruise past New York Red Bulls 4-1

Inter Miami returned to their winning ways as a goal and an assist from Lionel Messi helped The Herons to a 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls.

After a last-start loss to Dallas, which snapped an eight-game unbeaten streak, Inter Miami wasted little time drawing first blood on Saturday.

Fafa Picault opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Marcelo Weigandt extended the lead in the 30th.

Inter Miami pulled ahead even further close to half-time when Luis Suarez found the back of the net for the first time since March 2.

Mohammed Sofo capitalised on a corner kick to pull one back for New York a few minutes later, but Messi’s 67th-minute strike ultimately restored the deficit.