Inter Miami vs Orlando City Final Score 4-2: Lionel Messi Brace Seals Historic Florida Derby Comeback Win
Inter Miami defeated Orlando City 4-2 in the Florida Derby on Sunday night, March 1, 2026, completing a stunning second-half comeback from two goals down to claim their first MLS victory of the 2026 season. Lionel Messi scored twice and assisted a third, delivering the decisive moments in a dominant four-goal outburst after halftime that left Inter&Co Stadium stunned.
The win marked the first time in franchise history that Inter Miami have walked away from Orlando with three points. The Herons move to 1-1-0 on the season. Orlando City, who had never lost their first two MLS matches of a season since joining the league in 2016, now sit at 0-2-0.
How Inter Miami Overturned a 2-0 Deficit Against Orlando City
Orlando City took full control in the first half. A misplaced pass from Rodrigo De Paul in the 18th minute allowed Iván Angulo to deliver a cross for Marco Pašalić, who met it with a crisp half-volley to open the scoring. A second Orlando goal arrived six minutes later — in the 24th minute — to send the Lions into halftime leading 2-0 and seemingly in command.
The turnaround began immediately after the restart. Mateo Silvetti, introduced as a second-half substitute, scored just three minutes after coming on in the 49th minute, unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the box following a pass from Telasco Segovia to halve the deficit.
Then, in the 57th minute, Lionel Messi finally found the back of the net for his first official goal of 2026, curling a shot into the far corner that Maxime Crépeau had no answer for, leveling the match at 2-2 and transforming the atmosphere inside the stadium entirely.
Messi Free Kick and Segovia Complete the Inter Miami Comeback
With the game level and momentum fully with the visitors, Germán Berterame drove to the end line in the 85th minute and delivered a cross to Messi, who laid it off to Segovia to complete the comeback and put Inter Miami ahead for the first time all night.
The clincher arrived in the 90th minute. After drawing a red card from an ill-timed foul by Orlando's Colin Guske, Messi stepped up to take the resulting free kick and curled a perfect effort that dipped just beneath Crépeau's hands, sealing his brace and securing all three points.
The statistics underline Inter Miami's second-half dominance. The Herons finished the match with 62% possession, seven shots on target from nine total, and eight corner kicks — compared to just two shots on target for an Orlando side that ran out of ideas after surrendering the lead.
What the Florida Derby Result Means for Both MLS Clubs
Messi needed only half a yard of space to register his first goal and then tucked in the free kick for his second, but beyond the individual brilliance, Telasco Segovia's performance stood out — creating danger every time Messi found him and doing vital work on the right flank throughout.
Germán Berterame — the $15 million signing from CF Monterrey who had been held scoreless in his first two appearances — remained without a goal but delivered the assist for the Segovia strike, a contribution that at least hints at the attacking relationship Javier Mascherano is building between the Argentine and the rest of the forward line.
For Orlando, the red card for Guske in the 90th minute compounded an evening that turned sharply after a dominant first half. Óscar Pareja's side face New York City FC away on March 7 at 2:30 p.m. ET with a depleted midfield and a second consecutive defeat to process.
Inter Miami travel to DC United on March 7 at 5:30 p.m. ET, carrying three points and a restored sense of what this squad is capable of when Messi takes over a game.
