WASHINGTON - Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami edged to a 3-2 away win over Columbus Crew in their Major League Soccer (MLS) clash on Wednesday.

The visitors went ahead when Messi ran onto Jordi Alba's long pass and cut around his marker before using the outside of his left foot to slot a shot past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner doubled the advantage just before halftime by bending a free-kick around the wall and into the bottom left corner.

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Diego Rossi reduced the deficit with a curling effort after the restart but Luis Suarez restored Inter Miami's two-goal advantage as he headed into an unguarded net after Schulte failed to deal with a long Marcelo Weigandt cross.

Cucho Hernandez gave his side another glimmer of hope by converting from the penalty spot but the hosts' chances all but evaporated when Rudy Camacho was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Federico Redondo.

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The result guarantees Inter Miami top spot in the MLS Eastern Conference standings due to the Florida outfit's unassailable 11-point lead over second-placed Columbus with two match days remaining.