Messi marks return from injury with quickfire double
Messi has not played since suffering an ankle injury during the Copa America final in July.
LONDON - Lionel Messi scored twice in five minutes as he marked his Inter Miami return from injury.
Messi has not played since suffering an ankle injury during the Copa America final in July, but struck twice and set up Luis Suarez for a late third as Inter beat Philadelphia Union 3-1.
Mikael Uhre had put Philadelphia ahead after two minutes.
But Messi levelled in the 26th minute after picking up a pass from Suarez.
Four minutes later, Messi struck again as he beat goalkeeper Andrew Rick from 15 yards.
Suarez wrapped things up with the third goal eight minutes into stoppage time.
With Messi on the sidelines, Miami won eight of their 10 games and secured an MLS playoff spot. - BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
