Watch Lionel Messi's 11-Minute Hattrick That Sent the Internet Into a Frenzy

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The excitement of chasing a new record added an extra layer of intensity to the thrilling final game of the regular season. Despite already clinching the Supporters' Shield for the best record, Inter remained determined to solidify their status as clear favorites in the upcoming MLS Cup playoffs, set to kick off next week.

¡Messi aplastante!pic.twitter.com/X1lLki6t8B

— MLS Español (@MLSes) October 19, 2024

Miami had trailed 2-0 before Suarez scored twice before half-time to send Gerardo Martino's team in level at the interval.

Goals from Argentine Luca Langoni and Colombian Dylan Borrero in the 34th minute had the home crowd chanting for Messi's introduction from the bench but it was Uruguayan Suarez who began the comeback.

A firm left-foot finish from the former Liverpool and Barcelona striker, pulled one back, after good work from David Martinez.

Then Suarez levelled with a fine solo finish, making space for himself and switching to his right foot before drilling home.

Messi, who had scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Bolivia on Tuesday, came off the bench in the 58th minute and immediately helped put the team ahead finding Jordi Alba who set up Benjamin Cremaschi for a tap-in.

New England thought they had drawn level with a goal from striker Bobby Wood but the effort was disallowed for handball following a VAR review.

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Messi then made it 4-2, collecting a back-heeled pass from Suarez before brilliantly blasting into the far bottom corner.

The Argentine was on target again when he latched on to a superb pass from Jordi Alba and made no mistake and then he completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute when he met a volleyed cross from Suarez with a precise first time finish.

Messi's three goals came within an 11-minute spell and after his two month injury absence after the Copa America he now looks back to his best.

"After the major injury we had to be very careful with his recovery and reintegration into the team and both the national team and ourselves here were very careful with that issue," said Martino.

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"I have the feeling that we have him in an ideal situation to face the most important part of the year," added the Argentine.

Martino said that while Miami needed to cut out some of their errors, the squad head into the playoffs on a high after breaking the points record.

"For the team this is another boost of confidence. These 74 points were not something we had planned, or had as a goal when the season started, but when it was in front of us we tried to go for it," he said.

At the post-game celebration of the Supporters Shield success, club co-owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas were joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino who announced that the Shield had earned the team a place in the 2025 Club World Cup.

Elsewhere in the last round of the regular season in MLS, Montreal clinched a place in the playoffs with a 2-0 win over New York City.

The victory secured eighth place in the Eastern Conference and the Canadian side will play ninth-placed Atlanta United in the wildcard round on Tuesday for a chance to play Miami in the first round.

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Atlanta took the final spot in the East with a 2-1 win at Orlando City.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)