Lionel Messi returned from injury to inspire Inter Miami to a 3-1 win over LA Galaxy on Saturday night, scoring the decisive goal and setting up another in the closing minutes.

The Argentine star, who had missed the last two games with a right hamstring injury sustained in a Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on Aug. 2, started on the bench and entered at the beginning of the second half.

Messi broke the 1-1 deadlock in the 84th minute with a trademark left-footed strike from distance after weaving past defenders. Moments later, he delivered a clever back heel assist to Luis Suárez, sealing the victory.

It marked Messi’s 19th goal of the season — the highest in MLS — and a crucial result for Inter Miami, which climbed to fourth place in the Eastern Conference after slipping to sixth following a 4-1 loss at Orlando last week.

Jordi Alba had opened the scoring for Miami late in the first half, converting a through ball from Sergio Busquets. Joseph Paintsil equalized for the Galaxy in the 59th minute.

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Head coach Javier Mascherano said Messi will be evaluated Sunday to check on his hamstring and overall fitness, noting that while the forward occasionally stretched his right leg during the match, he finished strongly.

“The important thing is that he finished the match,” Mascherano said through an interpreter, adding that Messi looked more comfortable as the game progressed.

The defending MLS Cup champions Galaxy remain at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Source: Agency