Inter Miami CF pulled off an incredible comeback Sunday night at Inter&Co Stadium, beating Orlando City SC 4-2 in the Florida Derby. Down 2-0 at halftime after early goals from Marco Pašalić and Martín Ojeda, the Herons looked set for another tough loss under Javier Mascherano. But things changed fast. Mascherano made a smart adjustment at the break, and then Lionel Messi took over.
The Argentine scored twice, including a classic free kick in the 90th minute, turning the match on its head. This win gives Inter Miami its first-ever away victory in the Florida Derby. Messi also set another record, making it 22 straight calendar years with a goal or assist in professional football.
Inter Miami vs Orlando City:
| Final Score | Orlando City 2-4 Inter Miami |
| Scorers (MIA) | Mateo Silvetti (49′), Lionel Messi (57′, 90′), Telasco Segovia (85′) |
| Scorers (ORL) | Marco Pašalić (18′), Martín Ojeda (24′) |
| Red Card | Colin Guske (88′ – Orlando City) |
| Attendance | 25,500 (Sell-out) |
| Referee | Ismail Elfath |
Orlando City Take Early Command
The first half was brutal for the reigning MLS Cup champs. With Sergio Reguilón sidelined, Inter Miami’s backline looked shaky every time Orlando pressed high. In the 18th minute, Iván Angulo slipped into space on the left and fired a cross to Marco Pašalić, who smashed in a half-volley for the opener.
Six minutes later, things got worse. Miami’s defence fell asleep, Martín Ojeda pounced, raced clear, and coolly finished past Dayne St. Clair. Orlando had all the momentum by then. Messi? He kept getting mobbed by defenders, stuck in a crowded midfield, unable to get into the game.
Messi and Segovia Lead The Comeback Charge
Mascherano made a bold call at halftime, swapping out Noah Allen for the young striker Mateo Silvetti. It didn’t take long for that gamble to pay off. Just four minutes into the second half, Silvetti blasted a rocket from 25 yards out, beating Maxime Crépeau and sparking Miami’s comeback.
Soon after, in the 57th minute, Telasco Segovia slipped the ball to Messi near the top of the box. Messi, as always, didn’t hesitate to curl a perfect shot into the top corner. Suddenly, it was all square at 2-2.
Dos veces MESSI 🔥⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Cu1x2fi2qH
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 2, 2026
The pressure kept building. In the 85th minute, Segovia, who’d already set up a goal, finished off a sharp cutback from Germán Berterame and finally put Miami in front. Orlando started to unravel. Colin Guske, desperate to stop Messi, picked up his second yellow with a reckless challenge.
That set the stage for Messi again, this time with a free kick in the 90th minute. He stepped up, cleared the wall like it was nothing, and buried the ball in the net. Miami walked away with a dramatic 4-2 win, one nobody there will forget.
Lionel Messi: Inter Miami MLS Statistics (2023–2026)
| Season | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2026 | MLS Regular Season | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | MLS Regular Season | 28 | 29 | 16 |
| 2025 | MLS Cup Playoffs | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| 2024 | MLS Regular Season | 19 | 20 | 16 |
| 2023 | MLS Regular Season | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | MLS Career (All Phases) | 61 | 58 | 41 |
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