Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Boateng scored two Messi-like classy goals to lead LA Galaxy to a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer's Western Conference playoffs on Wednesday in the United States.
Just like Barcelona star Messi, Boateng made amends for conceding the penalty by slaloming through four feeble attempted tackles on the edge of the area before poking the ball beyond Rimando.
The impressive Boateng doubled his tally before the break as he again exposed the limitations of the Salt Lake defence - beating right-back Demar Phillips with raw pace down the right-hand side of the area and then calmly clipping the ball into the far corner.
Comfortable with that two-goal advantage, Galaxy - winners of the competition two years ago - coasted through the second half, without ever being seriously threatened.
The LA Galaxy cruised past Real Salt Lake 3-1 in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, setting up a second-round matchup with the Colorado Rapids.
Watch video of Boateng's two goals below: