Orlando City Vs Inter Miami: Messi double fuels 4-2 comeback
The orlando city vs inter miami showdown on 2 Mar, 2026 ended in a 4-2 comeback for Inter Miami, Lionel Messi scoring twice in a four-goal second half to overturn a 2-0 deficit at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
Early goals set Orlando lead
Marco Pasalic opened the scoring when Marco Pašalić took a pass from Iván Angulo and finished in the 18th minute to make it 1-0. Six minutes later defender Griffin Dorsey set up Martín Ojeda, and Martin Ojeda's finish made it 2-0 inside 25 minutes. Pašalić has scored in four straight matches against Inter Miami.
Orlando City Vs Inter Miami: Second Half Surge
Inter Miami cut the deficit four minutes into the second half when Mateo Silvetti produced a stunning 25-yard drive just after half-time. It was Silvetti's first career goal, the 20-year-old forward finding the net in his fifth career appearance; Segovia and Facundo Mura were credited with the assists. Mura collected his first assist in his first season.
Messi's goals and celebration
Lionel Messi, the 38-year-old eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and reigning MLS MVP, levelled in the 57th minute after taking a pass from Telasco Segovia and burying a left-footed strike from the edge of the area. Those were Messi's first goals of the MSL season and marked his first two goals of the season in MLS regular-season play, giving him 52 in his first 55 regular-season MLS matches, 51 of them in his past 49 appearances. The double brought Messi to 898 career goals for club and country, including 672 for Barcelona, 115 for Argentina and 79 in 90 appearances for Miami. He sealed the victory in the 90th minute with a low free-kick that crept past Maxime Crépeau; he celebrated with a signing gesture towards the touchline.
Key performers and discipline
Telasco Segovia supplied two assists and later scored unassisted in the 85th minute to put Miami ahead. Moments after Segovia's goal, Orlando City teenager Colin Guske, 19, was sent off; Guske picked up two yellow cards in his first start, the second one leading to his exit in the 88th minute, and will miss Orlando City's next match. Goalkeeping stands drew attention: Dayne St. Clair, the reigning goalkeeper of the year, turned away three shots — all in the second half of his second start with Inter Miami — but had conceded what was described as a soft opening goal for Orlando. Maxime Crépeau had four saves in his second start for Orlando City. Observers noted defensive concerns, with Dayne St. Clair and German Berterame among those who struggled in the first half before Miami improved after a tactical switch.
Context and what's next
Inter Miami, the defending MLS Cup champions, had lost their season opener — a 3-0 road defeat to Los Angeles FC — and had never won in nine previous trips to Orlando before this result. The clubs met on Sunday night at Inter&Co Stadium. Orlando City swept Inter Miami during the regular season last year and leads the all-time series 8-7-4. Segovia had eight goals and six assists as a rookie last season. Inter Miami now travel to play D. C. United on Saturday at Audi Field; Orlando City are also on the road next, facing New York City FC.
