Messi continues to shine ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Lionel Messi was involved in both goals, helping Inter Miami defeat Portland Timbers 2-0 in Round 14 of the Major League Soccer (MLS) on the morning of May 18th.

Immediately after the opening whistle, Inter Miami launched an attack. In the 4th minute, Luis Suarez delivered a sharp through pass for Messi to break free and shoot from close range, but goalkeeper James Pantemis made a spectacular save for Portland Timbers.

The pressure exerted by the home team finally materialized in the 31st minute. After a beautiful, training-ground-like combination with Telasco Segovia and Suarez, Messi received the ball in the penalty area and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net, giving Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.

Messi is showing impressive form with Inter Miami (Photo: Getty).

The Argentinian star continued to wreak havoc on the Portland Timbers' defense towards the end of the first half. In the 42nd minute, Messi dribbled through the center before delivering a clever pass for German Berterme to finish decisively, extending Inter Miami's lead to 2-0.

In the second half, Inter Miami deliberately slowed down the pace but still completely controlled the game. Portland Timbers tried to push forward to find an equalizer, but they were powerless against Inter Miami's tight defense.

Lionel Messi continued to be the highlight of Inter Milan's play, and in injury time, he repeatedly tried his luck with powerful long-range shots that forced goalkeeper Pantemis to make difficult saves.

The 2-0 victory not only helped Inter Miami continue to chase the top teams in MLS but also showcased Messi's incredibly consistent form. Following the win against Portland Timbers, Inter Miami moved to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference 2026 with 28 points after 14 matches.

The 39-year-old star continues to maintain top form and is ready for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Messi is included in Argentina's preliminary 55-player squad and is almost certain to be named by coach Scaloni in the official 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup.

At the 2026 World Cup, the Argentina national team is in Group J along with Austria, Jordan, and Algeria. The reigning World Cup champions will face Algeria on June 17th, Austria on June 23rd, and Jordan on June 28th.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/messi-tiep-tuc-choi-sang-truc-ngay-du-world-cup-2026-20260518100349079.htm