GONZALO HIGUAIN netted a hat-trick as Inter Miami played out a dramatic 4-4 thriller in Major League Soccer.
Miami, owned by former Manchester United and England star David Beckham, were hosting FC Cincinnati on Saturday and saw former Chelsea star Higuain put on a finishing clinic.
Gonzalo Higuain scored a magnificent free-kick to open the games scoring Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Higuain rounded the goalkeeper for his second goal of the game Credit: AP
Higuain has 29 contributions in 59 games for Inter Miami Credit: AP The 34-year-old had gone into the match with two goals in his last three games, and displayed the sort of finishing touch which at one time made him one of European football’s most potent strikers.
The first of his trio came in the 23rd minute when he dispatched a stunning free-kick into the top-right corner, leaving Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano clawing at thin air.
Higuain’s second followed 14 minutes later as Alejandro Pozuelo played an incisive pass into the strikers path, before he rounded the goalkeeper to blast the ball into an empty net.
Cincinnati equalised following both goals, but the end of the half saw Miami take the lead again as Higuain completed his hat-trick by sending Celentano the wrong way from a spot kick.
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With new season just days away pick your Dream Team and win up to £100k Despite Higuain’s first-half exploits Miami failed to hang onto the lead and found themselves 4-3 down in the dying moments of the game following a brace from Brandon Vazquez.
Higuain, having taken his season tally to seven after his hat-trick, could only watch on from the subs bench as his team stared down a second loss in a row.
However, full-back Christopher McVey found some space in the penalty area and managed to fire a shot towards goal which thundered in off the crossbar to gift Miami a 97th minute leveller.
The result means Miami stay ahead of Atlanta United in the league table but fail to overtake Charlotte.
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Prior to his America move in 2020, Higuain played for a number of top European clubs including Juventus, Real Madrid, Napoli and Chelsea.
However, his loan transfer to Chelsea ended up being a poor move for both the player and the club as Higuain scored just five goals in 18 games.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
