Lionel Messi crowns his comeback with a hat trick, Inter Miami breaks the MLS points record on wild decision day

Lionel Messi needed just a single touch to thwart the New England Revolution and help Inter Miami to a record-breaking victory on a wild final day of the MLS regular season.

Just days removed from a hat trick for Argentina, 4,400 miles away, he came into a 2-2 game on Saturday in which the clocks at Inter's Chase Stadium read 57:00.

As fans bowed to their GOAT, play resumed at approximately 57-15, with Miami needing a goal to complete a comeback and set the MLS points record in a single season.

And at 57:31, with his first touch of the ball after being substituted, Messi contributed to the creation. He checked to the ball at the top of the penalty area. He shot the ball over the Revs' frozen defense and into the path of Jordi Alba, who turned the ball to Benjamin Cremaschi for the winner.

Oh, and he didn't stop there. Almost exactly 20 minutes later, Messi combined with Luis Suarez to double Miami's lead.

Shortly after, he quietly scored his 19th goal of the 2024 MLS season – in just 19 games (16 starts) – sealing the deal.

And then, last but not least, he scored his 20th hat trick – and crowned his second hat trick in five days.

The 6-2 win took Inter to 74 points, one more than the Revs scored in 2021, their previous high.

And like much of Miami's season, it was delightful — but also unnecessarily tricky and nervous.

For the 17th time in 34 games, Miami conceded first – this time within 72 seconds. The main culprit was center back Héctor Martínez, one of several defenders who were shaky in 2024 and head coach Tata Martino was still looking for a solid defensive duo. His lineup changes virtually every game.

The Herons escaped with the Supporters' Shield, the MLS regular-season title, but not because they were strong defensively. They have conceded the first goal more often than they have scored – a remarkable stat for a champion.

But they almost always responded. They have now won nine (and drawn four) of the 17 games in which they conceded first.

On Saturday they lost by two goals in the 34th minute. They conceded a goal so ridiculously bad that the official MLS-X account didn't post it. The ball snaked through several Miami players and finally through the legs of goalie Drake Callender, over the line and into the net.

But Suarez scored two goals shortly before half-time to make it 2-2.

After 57 minutes Messi came into the game and that's when the game really changed. Miami walked away with the win and the points record. Next up: the playoffs, which begin next weekend.

MLS Eastern Conference playoff matches and bracket

Elsewhere in the East, Montreal defended its place in the playoffs, but DC United fell short, leaving last place to Atlanta United.

The matchups are as follows:

1. InterMiami
8. Play-In Winner (Atlanta or Montreal)

4. Orlando City
5. Charlotte FC

2. Columbus Crew
7. New York Red Bulls

3. FC Cincinnati
6. NYCFC

The play-in game between Atlanta and Montreal will take place on Tuesday or Wednesday. The actual first round begins on Friday, October 25th.

Drama in the Western Conference

There was a lot more drama out in the Western Conference.

The LA Galaxy entered Decision Day needing just a draw against Houston to secure first place. If they lose, LAFC could take top spot away from their rivals with a multi-goal victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.

As the clocks hit 90:00 in every game, the Galaxy clung to the top of the league. They trailed Houston 1-0, but LAFC was only ahead 2-1 due to the weak Earthquakes – meaning the two teams were tied on goal difference and the Galaxy maintained a narrow lead in goals scored in the tiebreaker.

Then, in the 91st minute, LAFC took a lead on goal difference.

Then, in the 95th minute in Houston, the Galaxy were awarded a penalty via a VAR review. In the 96th minute, Gabriel Pec converted from the penalty spot and the Galaxy appeared to have won the conference by a point with a 1-1 draw.

But in the 101st minute in Houston, with LAFC watching and hoping from afar, Houston defender Daniel Steres surprised the Galaxy with a header – knocking the Galaxy back into second place and giving LA the No. 1 seed.

The complete Western Conference seedings and matchups are:

1.LAFC
8. Play-in winners (Vancouver Whitecaps or Portland Timbers)

4. Seattle Sounders
5. Houston Dynamo

2. LA Galaxy
7. Colorado Rapids

3. Real salt lake
6. Minnesota United