Inter Miami 2-0 New York City FC: Berterame and De Paul Clinch Playoff Berth

Rodrigo De Paul struck deep into first-half stoppage time, with a Lionel Messi assist, as Inter Miami beat New York City FC 2-0 at Nu Stadium to clinch a place in the MLS playoffs with six games of the regular season still to play.

The reigning champions were far from their fluent best at times, but they were clinical when it mattered, and Dayne St Clair capped a fine night with a late penalty save to preserve a second consecutive clean sheet. For New York City, winless in four and still on 33 points, the defeat left them outside the playoff places in the Eastern Conference.

The visitors began the brighter side. They pressed high, forced early errors and kept Messi starved of the ball in the opening exchanges. Nicolás Fernández Mercau had the first effort, but St Clair held it comfortably, and Miami’s moment arrived soon after Messi’s first real involvement.

It came in the 20th minute through a slick passing move. Messi played De Paul in at the top of the box, De Paul found Luis Suárez, and the Uruguayan drew Matt Freese off his line before squaring for Germán Berterame to tap into an empty net. It was the Argentine striker’s first league goal since 24 May.

New York City had their chances to hit back, but Miami’s defence stood firm, and then they struck again at the moment when their opponents were most vulnerable. Berterame led a counter-attack deep into stoppage time and slipped the ball ahead to Messi, who in turn crossed for De Paul at the edge of the area. The midfielder’s right-footed shot flew past Freese into the top left corner to make it 2-0 at the break.

The second half belonged to the visitors’ attempts to get back into it. Changes brought extra attacking intent, and New York City ended with 11 shots, three on target, but they found Miami’s back line well organised. Matías Galarza was booked for delaying a restart, and Miami threatened a third late on.

The finale belonged to St Clair. After Ian Fray gave away a penalty in the 97th minute, the Miami goalkeeper dived to his left to keep out Fernández Mercau’s spot-kick, before the final whistle confirmed Miami’s qualification.