Lionel Messi’s First Goals Of The Season Inspire Major Miami Comeback

Lionel Messi scored twice in a four-goal second half, with defender Telasco Segovia contributing a goal and two assists, as defending champions Inter Miami CF rallied to defeat Orlando City SC 4-2 on Sunday night, marking their first victory at Inter&Co Stadium.

Messi equalised in the 57th minute after receiving a pass from Segovia, before Segovia scored unassisted in the 85th minute to take the lead. Messi capped off the win with a free kick in the 90th minute.

“The victory belongs exclusively to the players,” Miami coach Javier Mascherano stated post-match. “In the second half, they were a championship team. There were no tactics, just heart, courage, possession, resilience, and commitment. The team showed up because they were champions last year.

“In the end, the players demonstrated that this victory is theirs.”

Messi’s first two goals of the season bring his total to 52 in his first 55 regular-season MLS matches, with 51 scored in his last 49 appearances. This achievement also brings the reigning MLS MVP to 898 career goals, including 672 for Barcelona and 115 for Argentina.

“He’s the best player to ever play this sport,” Mascherano said of Messi. “He’s a leader who inspires others, but he also needs inspiration himself. When he’s driving forward, he creates numerous attacking options, and with so many opportunities, he clearly has the ability to create chances like no one else, which allowed us to turn the game around.”

Marco Pašalić opened the scoring for Orlando City in the 18th minute, taking a pass from Iván Angulo to give his side a 1-0 lead. Pašalić has now scored in four consecutive matches against Inter Miami.