Lionel Messi settled the contest in the 83rd minute with a crisp left-footed strike into the far corner after latching onto a feed from Venezuelan Telasco Segovia. The Argentine reached 26 goals this MLS campaign and 951 across his career.

Earlier, he had orchestrated the equaliser for German Berterame, who nodded home in the 69th minute courtesy of an assist from the Rosario native. The Mexican cancelled out the opener netted by Hungary's Daniel Gazdag on 53 minutes.

Inter Miami mounted a stirring fightback after reaching the break goalless and falling behind in a crucial battle for second place. The triumph lifts them to 59 points, leapfrogging New England, who stay on 58.

The Florida outfit also snapped a two-match winless run and sealed their qualification for the next edition of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the last major piece of silverware targeted by Messi.