FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had a first-half assist before scoring two goals in the second half to take over the league lead and propel Inter Miami to a 3-2 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night.

Messi scored the go-ahead goal in the 66th minute before adding some insurance in the 85th. He has 22 goals this season, one more than Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge in the race for the Golden Boot Award.

Defender Jordi Alba collected his 10th assist on Messi’s first goal and Sergio Busquets notched his seventh for the brace.

First-year midfielder Tadeo Allende scored his eighth goal — with an assist from Messi — in the 35th minute and Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead into halftime. It was Messi’s 12th assist this season — tied for fourth most in the league.

DC United pulled even in

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