• Messi sparks Miami’s opening goal

• De Paul scores 71st-minute winner

• Miami end record 58-game season

Inter Miami began the year in contention for five trophies. But this was the one they wanted, and now it is theirs. The Herons are MLS Cup champions after a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, finishing a turbulent year having played 58 games – an all-time MLS record for games played by a team in a calendar year.

This was an MLS Cup moment won by moments of the small, everyday sublime – combined with less-picturesque moments that proved decisive. And while Messi was at the genesis of both goals, both were scored thanks to his larger influence on a team crafted specifically for him.

A Vancouver own goal opened the scoring off a move that was set up by a minor moment of Messi Magic. Vancouver equalized in the second half with after a botched save from a near-post effort from Ali Ahmed. And Messi’s Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, a midseason arrival from Atlético Madrid, delivered the goal that won the 48th title in the career of his countryman in the 71st minute off a poor turnover by the otherwise excellent Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas.

Tadeo Allende’s goal in stoppage time, off another brilliantly lobbed assist from Messi, removed all doubt. The on-loan Celta Vigo man finished calmly past Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, head coach Javier Mascherano sprinted on to the field, kissed the grass, and celebrated as if he was a player once again.

• Messi sparks Miami’s opening goal

• De Paul scores 71st-minute winner

• Miami end record 58-game season

Inter Miami began the year in contention for five trophies. But this was the one they wanted, and now it is theirs. The Herons are MLS Cup champions after a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, finishing a turbulent year having played 58 games – an all-time MLS record for games played by a team in a calendar year.

This was an MLS Cup moment won by moments of the small, everyday sublime – combined with less-picturesque moments that proved decisive. And while Messi was at the genesis of both goals, both were scored thanks to his larger influence on a team crafted specifically for him.

A Vancouver own goal opened the scoring off a move that was set up by a minor moment of Messi Magic. Vancouver equalized in the second half with after a botched save from a near-post effort from Ali Ahmed. And Messi’s Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, a midseason arrival from Atlético Madrid, delivered the goal that won the 48th title in the career of his countryman in the 71st minute off a poor turnover by the otherwise excellent Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas.

Tadeo Allende’s goal in stoppage time, off another brilliantly lobbed assist from Messi, removed all doubt. The on-loan Celta Vigo man finished calmly past Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, head coach Javier Mascherano sprinted on to the field, kissed the grass, and celebrated as if he was a player once again.

• Messi sparks Miami’s opening goal

• De Paul scores 71st-minute winner

• Miami end record 58-game season

Inter Miami began the year in contention for five trophies. But this was the one they wanted, and now it is theirs. The Herons are MLS Cup champions after a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, finishing a turbulent year having played 58 games – an all-time MLS record for games played by a team in a calendar year.

This was an MLS Cup moment won by moments of the small, everyday sublime – combined with less-picturesque moments that proved decisive. And while Messi was at the genesis of both goals, both were scored thanks to his larger influence on a team crafted specifically for him.

A Vancouver own goal opened the scoring off a move that was set up by a minor moment of Messi Magic. Vancouver equalized in the second half with after a botched save from a near-post effort from Ali Ahmed. And Messi’s Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, a midseason arrival from Atlético Madrid, delivered the goal that won the 48th title in the career of his countryman in the 71st minute off a poor turnover by the otherwise excellent Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas.

Tadeo Allende’s goal in stoppage time, off another brilliantly lobbed assist from Messi, removed all doubt. The on-loan Celta Vigo man finished calmly past Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, head coach Javier Mascherano sprinted on to the field, kissed the grass, and celebrated as if he was a player once again.