The Argentine captain struck the way he often does, weaving through tight spaces, getting around a defender and launching a left-footed blast from distance to the bottom left corner as Chase Stadium erupted and the opposing goalkeeper Novak Micovic stood helpless. It was Messi’s 19th goal in 19 games, as he leads the MLS Golden Boot race.

The Galaxy is having a season worth forgetting. Despite being less than a year removed from winning the MLS Cup, one of the league’s founding members had a horrific start to the season and, despite posting a decent showing in the Leagues Cup, is on its way to a disappointing result.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi wouldn’t be denied for long. The Argentine superstar had missed numerous scoring chances in his return from injury Saturday night against the Galaxy, but in the match’s waning minutes, Messi scored the go-ahead goal, then assisted on another to help lift Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory.