Lafc Vs Inter Miami: Messi cleared to play as Miami fall 3-0 in season opener
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed Lionel Messi would be available for the season opener in lafc vs inter miami, but Miami still lost 3-0 as LAFC’s David Martinez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz found the net. The result leaves Miami with a first defeat to open their 2026 campaign while questions about squad fitness and upcoming schedules remain prominent.
Injury update and squad availability for lafc vs inter miami
Mascherano said on Friday, "Messi is fine; he's been training at the same level as the rest of the team all week. " He added, "He's been doing well and has had very positive feelings. So, he's going away well prepared, just like the rest of the team. " Messi’s participation had been in doubt after suffering a muscle strain in his left hamstring during the preseason friendly against Barcelona SC on February 7; though he started that friendly he left the pitch in the 58th minute to watch from the sidelines.
Inter Miami rescheduled their final preseason friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico from Feb. 13 to Feb. 26. Mascherano said Messi has returned to training with the rest of the squad since suffering the strain and that "all players who traveled with the team" to California will be available for selection, including newly signed Designated Player Germán Berterame and now-permanent Inter Miami figure Tadeo Allende.
Three LAFC finishes — Martinez, Bouanga and Ordaz decide the opener
LAFC opened the scoring when David Martinez received a pass from Son Heung-min and fired with precision for the opener. Denis Bouanga then scored the second goal in the 72nd minute after dribbling past goalkeeper St. Clair; Bouanga capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to make it 2-0. Nathan Ordaz added the third in stoppage time following an assist from Bouanga, completing a 3-0 win for the hosts.
Substitution details from the match included Son being substituted by Ordaz and David Martinez later replaced by Mathieu Choiniere.
How the game unfolded: LAFC control, Miami response and missed opportunities
The hosts dominated the first half, with LAFC’s defense recovering the ball high and using their attackers’ speed to create chances. Son came close when he faced goalkeeper St. Dayne one-on-one and got past him, but ran out of space to finish and passed to Bouanga, whose initial shot was saved. Son later set up Bouanga, whose effort was cleared off the line.
Inter Miami struggled for inspiration in the first half but improved after the break; Mascherano made changes that helped Miami become better organized and impose themselves, yet the team lacked accuracy in front of goal. Messi set up Tadeo Allende, but that shot was saved by Lloris. Other flashes included an Inter Miami forward meeting a cross from Mura and heading just wide, an Argentine forward firing from the edge of the box with the ball sailing over the crossbar, and Messi firing from outside the box with the ball going just wide. After a collision an Argentine forward went down holding his neck in discomfort. Tadeo Allende came on for Yannick Bright during the match.
Preseason travel, star names and Miami’s season targets
Inter Miami arrived on the West Coast after a three-match preseason tour of South America to face a star-studded LAFC that features Son Heung-min, former MLS MVP Denis Bouanga and longtime Portuguese top-flight midfielder Stephen Eustáquio. The meeting marked only the fourth time the two clubs have clashed in MLS play since Miami joined the league in 2020, and it was described as the debut of a budding rivalry between Son and Miami’s Lionel Messi, the two-time defending MLS MVP.
Co-owner David Beckham shared a message with supporters commonly known as La Familia, saying, "As the new MLS season begins, I’m so excited for what’s in store for our club. It was always our dream to be MLS Champions, but we are hungry for more and can’t wait to start our title defence today. " Inter Miami enter 2026 as reigning MLS champions after lifting the 2025 MLS Cup by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Fixture implications: upcoming matches and continental campaigns
Following the season opener, Inter Miami look ahead to three more MLS road matches against Orlando City, D. C. United and Charlotte FC before beginning their Concacaf campaign against either Nashville SC or Canadian Premier League champions Atlético Ottawa in Fort Lauderdale on March 18. While Miami will play away to start their Concacaf Champions Cup journey in March, the second leg of their tie will take place at Chase Stadium, where unclear in the provided context.
LAFC, meanwhile, will play the second leg of the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Tuesday, looking to maintain a 6-1 advantage from a previous match against Real España. Inter Miami’s next MLS test comes next Sunday against Orlando City.
lafc vs inter miami finished 3-0 in Los Angeles, leaving Inter Miami to regroup as they balance domestic title defense and multiple cup commitments.
