Lionel Messi returns to Inter Miami with two goals against Philadelphia Union.

In his return to Inter Miami after three months, Lionel Messi scored twice in four minutes to win the Philadelphia Union 3-1.  

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Messi scored in the 26th and 30th minutes to give the Herons a 2-1 lead in the first half and increase their MLS-best record to 19-4-5.  

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Messi scored his 13th MLS goal on a combined play to level the game after Philadelphia took the lead 59 seconds in.  

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Inter Miami took the lead minutes later as Messi finished a Jordi Alba pass across the Union penalty box.  

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Luis Suárez scored Inter Miami's third goal in the 98th minute off Messi's 15th assist of the season after a first-half goal was brought back.  

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Despite 12 less games, Messi has 14 goals for Inter Miami, five behind league leader Christian Benteke of D.C. United.  

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Messi had been out since his ankle ligament injury in the Copa América final on July 14 as Argentina defeated Colombia. He missed the national team's 3-0 triumph against Chile and 2-1 loss to Colombia in World Cup qualifiers last week.  

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After training, Tata Martino stated Friday that Messi will play, but he wasn't sure if he would start or come off the bench. Martino claimed in late August that Messi would return before the MLS playoffs on Oct. 23, but he did not specify a date.  

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