On Saturday night at Chase Stadium, spectators witnessed an unexpected turn of events during halftime as Inter Miami CF found themselves trailing the New York Red Bulls 1-0 at home. However, in a remarkable turn of events, Lionel Messi led Miami to a resounding 6-2 victory, setting a new record for the most goal contributions in a single Major League Soccer (MLS) match.
Before scoring his own goal, Messi orchestrated Matías Rojas’s goal and assisted in another for Rojas, as well as all three goals for Luis Suárez, showcasing his exceptional skills on the field.
The Red Bulls’ initial goal, scored by Dante Vanzeir, revived memories of their previous encounter this season, where Miami suffered a 4-0 defeat at Red Bull Arena on March 23. Despite facing challenges such as injuries and international commitments, Miami displayed resilience.
Unfortunately, Messi was sidelined due to a hamstring injury for this match, but his impact was undeniable. Inter Miami, lacking offensive options, started with Leonardo Campana and Suárez in a 5-3-2 formation, conceding a goal within three minutes.
Lewis Morgan’s hat trick, complemented by Wikelman Carmona’s first-season contribution, highlighted Miami’s dominance. Despite controlling 70% of possession and registering two shots on target, Miami failed to find the net, leaving them surprised at the outcome.
Reflecting on the match, coach Martino admitted Miami’s inferior performance in their previous encounter, emphasizing the importance of competitiveness and spirit in securing victory.
