2 goals, 1 assist in a derby. Major League Soccer, via its official X handle, highlighted Lionel Messi’s latest masterclass as he delivered his first goals of 2026 in spectacular fashion.
Lionel Messi once again underlined his status as the game’s defining figure, scoring twice and providing an assist as Inter Miami roared back from two goals down to defeat Orlando City SC 4-2 in a heated Florida derby at Inter & Co Stadium.
Inter Miami, managed by Javier Mascherano, were seeking a response after opening their MLS campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles.
However, Softfootball gathered that the night began in disastrous fashion. Orlando City dominated the first half and raced into a 2-0 lead, with Marco Pašalić opening the scoring in the 18th minute following an assist from Iván Angulo. Just six minutes later, Martín Ojeda doubled the advantage, assisted by Griffin Dorsey.
The first half also saw several disciplinary moments, as Nolan Miller was booked in the 45th minute, while both Miller and Tadeo Allende received yellow cards in stoppage time. Inter Miami went into the break trailing 2-0 and facing the prospect of consecutive defeats to start the season.
The response after halftime was immediate and emphatic. Mateo Silvetti reduced the deficit in the 49th minute, assisted by Telasco Segovia. Momentum shifted decisively in the 57th minute when Messi struck his first of the night, again set up by Segovia, to level the contest at 2-2.
As the pressure mounted on the hosts, Pašalić and Dorsey were both shown yellow cards, reflecting the growing intensity of the derby. Segovia then completed the turnaround in the 85th minute, finishing clinically to make it 3-2 and cap his influential performance with two assists and a goal.
Orlando’s hopes of salvaging a result suffered a major blow in the 88th minute when Colin Guske was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.
Messi ensured there would be no late drama. In the 90th minute, he delivered a trademark free kick to seal the 4-2 victory, marking the 70th free-kick goal of his career. The strike also brought his tally of long-range goals to 106 between October 16, 2004 and March 2, 2026.
The breakdown of Messi’s 106 goals from outside the box stands as follows: 77 with Barcelona, 13 with Argentina, 6 with Paris Saint-Germain, and 8 with Inter Miami.
The performance not only secured Inter Miami’s first competitive win of 2026 but also reignited belief in their MLS Cup title defence. With Messi already delivering decisive contributions, the question now is whether this derby comeback could define the momentum of their season.
