New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- Lionel Messi scored twice within a space of four minutes as Inter Miami crushed Atlanta United 3-1 in match of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Argentine, who retired from international football against Benin earlier this month in front of his home crowd, also provided a first-half assist on Sunday in an Eastern Conference-fixture at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Neither team had scored until German Berterame used assists from Messi and Luis Suarez in the final minute of the first half to score his ninth goal in his first 26 MLS appearances. Messi added his league-leading 24th and 25th goals in the 56th and 60th minutes to make it 3-0 for Inter Miami.

The Mexican Berterame assisted on both scores and Suarez snagged one ...