ORLANDO, Fla. — Lionel Messi netted two goals in a thrilling four-goal second half, while defender Telasco Segovia contributed a goal and two assists, leading the defending champion Inter Miami CF to a comeback victory over Orlando City SC , with a final score of 4-2 on Sunday night—their first win at Inter&Co Stadium.
Messi equalized in the 57th minute with a goal after receiving a pass from Segovia, and Segovia put Inter Miami ahead in the 85th minute with an unassisted goal. Messi sealed the victory with a stunning free-kick goal in the 90th minute.
Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, praised his players after the match, stating, “The victory belongs exclusively to the players. In the second half, they played like champions. It wasn’t about tactics—rather, it was their heart, courage, possession, resilience, and commitment that shone through.” He added, “This victory is theirs.”
With his first two goals of the season, Messi now boasts 52 goals in 55 regular-season MLS matches, and has scored 51 times in his last 49 games. This brings his career total to 898 goals, which includes 672 for Barcelona and 115 for Argentina.
Mascherano commented on Messi, saying, “He’s the best player to ever play this sport. He’s a leader who inspires others, but he also often needs inspiration himself. When he’s driving forward, his attacking options multiply, and he creates chances like no one else, which turned the game in our favor.”
Marco Pašalić scored the opening goal for Orlando City in the 18th minute after receiving a pass from Iván Angulo. Pašalić has now scored in four consecutive matches against Inter Miami.
Six minutes later, defender Griffin Dorsey assisted Martín Ojeda to extend Orlando’s lead to 2-0, a score that remained through halftime.
Inter Miami responded quickly in the second half, narrowing the gap to 2-1 thanks to Mateo Silvetti‘s first career goal, set up by defenders Segovia and Facundo Mura. The 20-year-old forward found the back of the net in just his fifth appearance.
Segovia had an impressive rookie season last year with eight goals and six assists, while Mura recorded his first assist in his debut season.
Dayne St. Clair, the reigning goalkeeper of the year, made three saves— all in the second half— during his second match with Inter Miami, although he did concede a soft goal for Orlando’s initial score.
Maxime Crépeau recorded four saves for Orlando in his second start.
Notably, teenager Colin Guske, 19, will miss Orlando City’s next match after receiving two yellow cards during his first starting appearance, the second leading to his dismissal in the 88th minute.
Inter Miami, which had previously failed to win in its nine visits to Orlando, was coming off a disappointing 3-0 defeat against LAFC.
Orlando City completed a sweep over Inter Miami last season and now leads the all-time series 8-7-4.
Inter Miami will face D.C. United on Saturday at Audi Field, while Orlando City will also be on the road to take on New York City FC.
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this overview.