Inter Miami Vs Lafc ends 3-0 as LAFC brush aside defending champions at Coliseum
inter miami vs lafc finished 3-0 in Los Angeles on Matchday 1 of the 2026 MLS season, a result that handed defending champions Inter Miami a heavy opening loss in front of the second-highest attendance in league history of 75, 673 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
LAFC seize control with Son assist and Martínez finish
LAFC opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Son Heung-min set up David Martínez for the game’s first goal, a move that underlined Son’s impact in his first full season in Los Angeles after joining as MLS’ record signing. The goal gave LAFC a lead they would protect for the rest of the match.
Bouanga’s goal — descriptions differ — and a 73rd-minute cushion
Timothy Tillman created LAFC’s second goal with a long pass over the top that left Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair stranded outside his penalty area before Denis Bouanga doubled the lead. One account says Bouanga took the ball round St. Clair and slotted into an empty net; another describes Bouanga meeting Tillman’s roughly 50-yard ball and heading it over the goalkeeper into the net. The second account places Bouanga’s goal in the 73rd minute.
Stoppage-time finish from Ordaz and Son’s ovation
After Son was substituted late to a rapturous ovation, his replacement Nathan Ordaz added a third goal in stoppage time from a Denis Bouanga cross to seal a 3-0 victory for LAFC.
Messi’s return, Miami’s new-look lineup and injury context
Lionel Messi started for Inter Miami after recovering from a hamstring injury that forced the postponement of Miami’s final preseason friendly in Puerto Rico on Feb. 13. The 38-year-old had his clearest opportunity in first-half stoppage time but narrowly missed a placed shot from the edge of the box. Messi was playing his first competitive match of a year in which he is likely to lead Argentina’s defense of its World Cup title.
Debutants, retirements and coaching reactions
Manager Javier Mascherano named three debutantes in his starting lineup: Mexico international Germán Berterame led the line ahead of Messi, and new Brazilian arrival Micael started in the center of defense in front of Dayne St. Clair. A fourth newcomer, Argentine full-back Facundo Mura, replaced Ian Fray at half-time. Mascherano said the 3-0 scoreline did not tell the whole story, calling the defeat "fair and square" but adding that his initial analysis made the result feel "somewhat misleading" because there "wasn't that much of a difference" as the game unfolded. He stressed the coaching staff must analyze the game, not just the result.
Stadium switch, crowd and LAFC game plan
The match was played at the century-old Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum rather than LAFC’s usual BMO Stadium; one description in the coverage called the Coliseum a "100-year-old concrete monster" and said the league moved the opener there to contain the Messi effect. More than 75, 000 fans attended, cameras were ubiquitous, and while pink shirts were visible they were described as "fewer than expected" compared with Son supporters, who were noted for turning out in force. LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos said his side prepared specifically for the best version of Messi by crowding numbers around him and following late runs; he praised the team's preparation with an "A-plus" for that part of the game while saying the possession phase was a "D" and could be improved.
Next on the calendar: unclear in the provided context what each team’s next scheduled fixture is, though the result closes out Matchday 1 of the 2026 MLS season and sets LAFC up with an opening-day victory while Inter Miami begins title defense with a loss.
