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Inter Miami beat New York to win the Eastern Conference Final

Photo: Edwin Gomez

Inter Miami 5 – 1 New York City

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL–Inter Miami were crowned Eastern Conference champions after a fabulous display of attacking football that overwhelmed New York and confirmed the Herons place in history.

Lionel Messi was the heartbeat of it all, along with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who provided one of the bests assists of the season..

Missing his usual partner Luis Suarez in recent weeks, the Miami captain is flanked by young Argentines Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti, who both delivered again.

Supported by Baltazar Rodriguez and Busquets from midfield, it leaves Messi free to play as a false nine or wander into space and use the pace and running of those around him.

It’s a ploy that coach Javier Mascherano has favored recently, and it’s proved to consistently creates chances, often leading to goals.

New York started the game strongly and looked confident on the ball, they pressed high to try and force a mistake and create a chance, but it backfired.

Busquets spotted the high line and played a long ball for Allende who had made a good run. He got lucky with the bounce of the ball but made no mistake when it fell to his feet, firing an unstoppable shot passed Matt Freese.

Minutes later a clash between Maxi Morales and Max Falcone created some friction with some pushing and shoving. Messi himself remonstrated repeatedly with Morales, but it was little more than a side show.

In that moment, New York lost focus and Alba took advantage. The full back found himself in loads of space and swung in a delightful cross for Allende who returned the compliment with a fabulous header that found the top corner.

But New York got a lifeline from a set piece after a clumsy challenge by Noah Allen on Morales. The veteran picked himself up and delivered a perfect cross that was thundered home by the head of Justin Haak.

It gave the away side some confidence and the home side something to think about. Their two-goal cushion had been cut to a one goal advantage and New York had their tails up.

Miami weren’t controlling the game as they normally like to. New York weren’t allowing them to, and both sides shared the bulk of the first half possession.

Rocco Rios Novo had a rare lapse early in the second half when his pass to Falcone was short and created an opening for New York, but they failed to take full advantage and Rios Novo was able to collect safely.

As we hit the hour mark, the game was nicely balanced as New York continued to look for an equaliser. They came close but for a fine stop by Rios Novo who denied Julian Fernandez with a fabulous save.

It was end to end at that stage and the ball went straight down the other end for Messi to set up Silvetti who made it three with a fine strike into the corner.

New York continued to chase the game, but it felt like the match was over once Miami scored their third goal.

And then Alba provided the moment of the night when he ran the length of the pitch to assist Telasco Segovia with a cheeky back heel that started the party in the stands.

And they weren’t finished yet. Allende got his hattrick when Yannick Bright played him in and he lifted the ball over Freese to provide the gloss on an impressive win.

It means that Miami will now take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS Cup next Saturday at Chase Stadium.

Photos by Edwin Gomez