Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano hailed Lionel Messi as "extraordinary" after the Argentine superstar steered the club into their first MLS Cup final with a 5-1 thrashing of New York City FC on Saturday.

A Tadeo Allende hat-trick and goals from Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia sent a revitalised Miami roaring into Major League Soccer's championship game next Saturday at their home field in Fort Lauderdale.

While Messi did not get on the scoresheet, the 38-year-old provided a crucial, classy assist for Miami's third goal scored by Silvetti that effectively killed off the game as New York chased an equaliser.

"Leo has accustomed us to the extraordinary," Mascherano said of his former Barcelona and Argentina team-mate.

"He's someone extraordinary, someone we'll never see again. Today

See Full Page