Lionel Messi (37) scored twice and created two more when Inter Miami warmed up for the Club World Cup on Saturday with a victory over the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.
Miami opens the new FIFA tournament on 14 June against the Egyptian and African champions Al Ahly, and after a big dip in shape they have again found their touch in their last two MLS matches.
A 4-2 victory over Montreal in midweek, with Messi and Luis Suarez who each scored two goals, facilitated the tensions around the Javier Mascherano team and their renewed confidence was clear from the start to their 5-1 victory over Columbus.
Miami was helped by a non -characteristic loose defense of Columbus, who have been one of the most consistent artists in MLS for the past three seasons, but were easily opened by Messi and Company.
Argentinian Tadeo Allende opened the score in the 13th minute when Messi, who had fallen deep into midfield, sent him goal with a long ball over the top and the attacker with confidence home with confidence.
Two minutes later, Columbus's Guatemalteek goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, who stood in the wounded Patrick Schulte, then gave Miami's second when he hesitated with the ball at his feet and went directly to Messi, from all people, with the world cup winner and tried to puncture him.
Hagen scrambled and got a vast palm on the ball, but the shot ran into the net to bring 2-0 and to let the visitors deep in trouble.
Messi made it three in the 24th minute when Sergio Busquets defended the crew and slept and drove a pass over the top, on which Messi ran before he wing the advancing hedges.
Columbus gave himself a spark of hope with a thunderous header from Cesar Ruvalcaba in the 58th minute.
But six minutes later, Miami had restored their benefits of three goals.
Messi broke through the middle and then feeded Telasco Segovia who slid the ball out to Suarez who buried the ball in the bottom corner.
The eight-time balloon d'Or winner was again the maker when he fed Fafa Picault replacement that broke away for a clinical finish to complete the routes.
Messi is now going up for international service with Argentina, who have already qualified for the World Cup 2026 and are to Chile on Thursday and organize Colombia on 10 June.