Inter Miami and Lionel Messi are heading to the MLS playoffs after the Argentine's second-half brace sealed a 4-0 win over New York City FC at Citi Field. 

Messi also assisted Baltasar Rodriguez's 43rd-minute opener, with Luis Suarez's penalty sandwiched between Messi's double to clinch their spot in the postseason. 

NYCFC came into the clash having won their last three league games and came close to opening the scoring when Nicolas Fernandez struck the post in the 29th minute. 

Oscar Ustari also produced a point-blank save to deny Thiago Martins' header, but Pascal Jansen's side were made to pay for their wastefulness two minutes before the break.

Messi's delightful ball in behind the NYCFC defence was collected by Rodriguez, who took his time before coolly slotting past Matt Freese and into the bottom-right corner. 

Miami then doubled their lead in the 74th minute through Messi, who delicately chipped the ball over Fresse after being picked out by Sergio Busquets' defence-splitting pass. 

Javier Mascherano's team were then awarded a penalty after Rodrigo De Paul was brought down by Justin Haak, with Suarez stepping up to dispatch the resulting spot-kick. 

And the playoff-clinching victory was sealed four minutes from time when Messi's dazzling run from the right ended with a fine finish across Fresse and into the bottom-left corner. 

Elsewhere, the Vancouver Whitecaps left it late to snatch a point at home to the Portland Timbers, with Brian White's 88th-minute strike earning a 1-1 draw at BC Place. 

Kamal Miller's stunning half-volley from distance had given Portland the lead six minutes before the interval, but there was to be more late drama in the contest. 

With just two minutes remaining of normal time, White finished from close range from a corner to extend Vancouver's unbeaten league run to five matches. 

Data Debrief: Magical Messi makes more history

Messi has made records tumble since his switch to Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2023, and his two goals and an assist here saw him become the first player in MLS history to record 35 goal contributions in back-to-back seasons (24 goals, 11 assists). 

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also recorded his eighth multi-goal game in a single season, becoming the fourth player to achieve the feat after Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2018), Mamadou Diallo (2000) and Stern John (1998). 

It was also just Miami's second win in their 13th all-time meeting with NYCFC (D4 L7) and their first since August 2022, though they were worthy of their triumph here. 

Indeed, Mascherano's men generated an expected goals (xG) total of 2.32 from their 12 shots, eight of which were on target, compared to NYCFC's 0.93 from their nine attempts at Ustari's net.