Inter Miami kept up the pressure on Nashville SC at the top of the Eastern Conference as Lionel Messi's two goals helped seal a thrilling 5-3 win over FC Cincinnati. 

Miami have now scored 10 goals in their last three MLS encounters, while they also extended their unbeaten road run to seven matches in some style at TQL Stadium. 

Guillermo Hoyos' side took the lead in the 24th minute in fortunate fashion when Matt Miazga's attempted clearance hit Messi and looped over goalkeeper Roman Celentano. 

But Cincinnati got themselves level four minutes before the interval through Kevin Denkey's penalty after the Cincinnati forward was felled by Gonzalo Lujan inside the area. 

Pavel Bucha then opened the floodgates for the six second-half goals when he tucked home Bryan Ramirez's cross at the back post four minutes after the restart.

Miami hauled themselves level through Messi in the 55th minute with a calm finish into the bottom-left corner, only for Evander's stunning finish from the edge of the box after cutting inside from the left to hand Cincinnati back their advantage just after the hour.

However, two goals in five minutes flipped the contest on its head, with Mateo Silvetti collecting Messi's pass before picking out the bottom-right corner in the 79th minute. 

German Berterame then capitalised on a mistake between Celentano and Andrei Chirila from Messi's free-kick to put Miami in the lead, but there was still more to come. 

Celentano's misery was further compounded one minute from time when Messi's shot hit the post, but then struck the Cincinnati goalkeeper's back as it trickled over the line.

Data Debrief: Magic Messi hits purple patch ahead of the World Cup

This summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico is set to be Messi's last of a glittering international career, and if his form in the MLS this season is anything to go by, he plans on going out with a bang. 

Only the Chicago Fire's Hugo Cuypers (12) has scored more league goals than Messi's 11 this term, though the Miami number 10 leads the way in total goal involvements (15), having also registered four assists. 

With two goals and an assist, Messi was once again the star for Miami, who have now won 13 points (W4 D1 L1) from a possible 18 on offer since Hoyos took over on April 18.

The Argentina international was constantly involved, finishing with team-high totals for shots on target (three) and chances created (four), while only Rodrigo De Paul (97) had more touches than his 72. 

In an end-to-end affair, Miami edged the expected goals (xG) battle with a total of 2.29 from their 17 shots, five of which were on target, compared to Cincinnati's 1.76 from their 10 attempts at Dayne St. Clair's net.