Lionel Messi took over New England on Saturday night, putting on a show in front of more fans than the Patriots had in attendance in any game last season.
Messi scored two goals to become the MLS scoring leader and added an assist to lead Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion, helped the Revolution set a club attendance record with 65,612 fans, in what was the second-most attended soccer match at Robert Kraft’s stadium, home of the Patriots.
Messi waved to the crowd in the 86th minute, during an injury stoppage shortly before the game went final, and on his way toward the locker rooms after a dominant performance.
“I thought they were able to find two goals when we felt pretty good about the defending that we were limiting their effectiveness, creating clear chances,” New England coach Caleb Porter said. “That’s Messi. He finds two goals out of nowhere, and it exposes the detail in those moments from us.”
Although New England’s Tomás Chancalay scored less than 40 seconds into the match, Messi came to Inter Miami’s rescue like he often has since joining the MLS club last July.
Messi scored in the 32nd minute less than 10 feet from the net to tie the match before halftime, and received a pass from Sergio Busquets inside the box in the 68th minute to help Inter Miami take a 2-1 lead.
Messi finished with a brace to make nine goals scored in MLS games this season, edging Real Salt Lake star Chicho Arango, who scored his eighth goal earlier in the day.
Messi did contest for a hat trick in the 83rd minute. Although his shot was deflected, midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi cleaned up the rebound to score his first goal of the season in his third match back from sports hernia surgery.
Messi finished the match with an assist in the 88th minute to close friend Luis Suárez, who entered in the 63rd minute and played on New England’s artificial turf despite a history of knee injuries in his career.
Messi’s assist made MLS history, as he became the first player to have a goal and assist in five consecutive matches.
Inter Miami increased its lead in the MLS Eastern Conference to 21 points with the victory.
“People in every stadium come to see Leo, that’s true. But they want their team to win,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said. “We are motivated by the atmosphere we find.”
The match will go down in Gillette Stadium’s history books behind the most attended soccer match, when Brazil beat Mexico 3-1 during an international friendly in front of 67,584 fans on Sept. 12, 2007.
Luis Suárez goal: Inter Miami 4, New England 1
Luis Suárez adds a goal in the 88th minute, on an assist from Messi to take a commanding lead.
Benjamin Cremaschi goal: Inter Miami 3, New England 1
This one is over, and Lionel Messi nearly notched a hat trick.
Messi fired a shot from Mathias Rojas toward the middle of the net, which was blocked by Revolution goalie Henrich Ravas.
But midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi cleaned up the rebound in the 83rd minute with his first goal of the season in his third match back from sports hernia surgery.
Messi scores second goal: Inter Miami 2, New England 1
Messi could only grin as he hugged his teammates in celebration.
Messi received a pass from Sergio Busquets inside the box, and sent it toward the right side of the net to help Inter Miami take a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute.
Messi, Inter Miami break New England Revolution attendance record
With an announced crowd of 65,612 fans, the New England Revolution have a new attendance record thanks to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
It’s the second-largest crowd for a soccer match in Gillette Stadium history, trailing only an international friendly between Brazil and Mexico in front of 67,584 fans on Sept. 12, 2007. Brazil won 3-1.
The total is also more than any New England Patriots game during the 2023 NFL season.
Messi scores goal: New England 1, Inter Miami 1
Messi has found the back of the net for his eighth goal of the MLS season.
Robert Taylor found Messi inside the goal area, and the World Cup champion delivered a left boot less than 10 feet from the net to tie this match at 1 in the 32nd minute.
Messi misses shot on goal in 29’: New England 1, Inter Miami 0
Messi appeared to force the issue as Inter Miami lacked any real shot attempt on goal toward the net. He found some space and fired a right boot toward the net.
However, it was an easy save for Revolution goalie Henrich Ravas.
15’ update: New England 1, Inter Miami 0
Inter Miami has had only one possession near the net in the first 14 minutes of this match, but to no avail. The possession started with Messi clearing the ball around midfield, but his teammates were unable to even get a shot off.
Outside of the first goal, possession has traded sides mostly in the midfield.
Tomás Chancalay goal: New England 1, Inter Miami 0
Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender veered too far from the net in the opening minute, and New England’s Tomás Chancalay made them pay with an assist from Carles Gil.
How to watch New England vs. Inter Miami live stream?
The game begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, and will be streamed via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
WATCH: Messi and Inter Miami at New England on Apple TV
TICKETS: See Messi and Inter Miami take on the New England Revolution at Gillete Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.
SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store
New England vs. Inter Miami starting lineup
Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup with strikers Leo Campana and Robert Taylor by his sides, both making their return from hamstring injuries. Luis Suárez is on the bench.
Messi arrives to Gillette Stadium
Messi arrived to Gillette Stadium for tonight’s game, after fans gathered outside the team hotel for their departure.
Will Messi, Inter Miami set New England Revolution attendance record?
New England fans may be happy about new Patriots quarterbacks Drake Maye and Joe Milton, but their attention will be focused on another sport tonight.
More than 64,000 fans are expected in attendance on Saturday to see the GOAT – Messi, not Tom Brady – play on the home field of the NFL’s New England Patriots. Messi and Inter Miami are expected to help the Revolution set a new club attendance record.
The game is expected to set a team attendance record for the Revolution, and potentially be one of the top three most attended soccer matches in Gillette Stadium’s 23-year history.
Inter Miami enters the New England match ranked first in the MLS Eastern Conference and needing to accumulate as many points as possible before Messi departs for Copa America 2024 with Argentina this summer.
The previous high was 57,407 on April 20, 1997 against the Tampa Bay Mutiny, the same day of a FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Mexico and the United States.
It could also contend for second-most attended soccer match at Gillette Stadium.
Here are the Top 3 most attended soccer games at Gillette Stadium:
Oct. 20, 2022: The 2002 MLS Cup final between New England and L.A. Galaxy drew 61,316 fans. The Galaxy won 1-0 when Carlos Ruiz ended the game with a golden goal in the 113th minute.
June 4, 2011: Spain beat the United States 4-0 during an international friendly in front of 64,121 fans.
Sept. 12, 2007: Brazil beat Mexico 3-1 in an international friendly with 67,584 fans in attendance to set the record.
Two weeks ago, Messi and Inter Miami packed Arrowhead Stadium for a thrilling 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City in front of 72,610 fans. It was the most-attended soccer match in Missouri and the third-most attended MLS game in history.
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