The China Mail - Messi's latest brace lifts Miami to 2-1 MLS victory over Nashville

Four days after he became the first player ever to score multiple goals in four straight MLS matches, Messi delivered his fifth brace in five MLS games and Miami continued their climb up the Eastern Conference standings after their league hiatus for the Club World Cup.

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a free kick, his left-footed shot finding its way through the only gap in Nashville's defensive wall and past goalkeeper Joe Willis.

Miami dominated in the first half, but just four minutes into the second half, Hany Mukhtar's header pulled Nashville level.

Messi came to the rescue again, grabbing the game-winner in the 62nd minute when he capitalized on a bad mistake from Willis -- who misjudged a pass to tee up Messi for the strike.

The two goals took Messi's total to 16 in 16 appearances this season tied with Nashville's Sam Surridge, who was unable to add to his tally of 16 on Saturday.

Miami were playing their third match since returning to MLS action in the wake of a month-long Club World Cup campaign that ended when they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain.

With 38 points from 19 matches, they moved into fourth place in the East, five points behind leaders Philadelphia but with three games in hand.

E.Choi--ThChM