Inter Miami secured a stunning 4-2 comeback victory against rivals Orlando City on Sunday night, March 1, 2026, at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The defending champions rallied from a two-goal deficit at halftime, unleashing a four-goal outburst in the second half. Lionel Messi scored twice, and defender Telasco Segovia contributed a goal and two assists, fueling Miami's first win of the new MLS season and their first-ever victory at Orlando's home stadium.[westernwheel+6]
Early Struggles for Miami
The match began poorly for Inter Miami, with Orlando City taking an early lead. Marco PaÅ¡alić opened the scoring for Orlando in the 18th minute. Just six minutes later, MartÃn Ojeda extended Orlando's advantage, giving the home side a 2-0 lead that held until halftime. Inter Miami's first half performance was described as "flat and fragile," reminiscent of their recent 3-0 season-opening loss to Los Angeles FC. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, a new signing, struggled early, getting a hand to Orlando's opener but failing to keep it out.[westernwheel+3]
Second Half Explosion
Inter Miami's fortunes dramatically reversed after the break, following tactical adjustments by head coach Javier Mascherano. Substitute Mateo Silvetti, a 20-year-old forward, made an immediate impact, scoring his first career goal in the 49th minute to cut the deficit to 2-1. Silvetti's long-range strike provided the spark Inter Miami needed.[goal+5]
Lionel Messi then took control of the game, leveling the score in the 57th minute. He received a pass from Telasco Segovia and fired an unstoppable 18-yard strike into the top corner from the edge of the box. This goal, Messi's first of the 2026 season, pulled Inter Miami even at 2-2.[goal+5]
Segovia's Decisive Contributions
Telasco Segovia proved instrumental in Miami's comeback, earning a 9/10 player rating for his outstanding performance. Beyond assisting Messi's equalizer, Segovia also provided an assist for Mateo Silvetti's goal. His decisive moment came in the 85th minute when he scored an unassisted goal, passing the ball into the back of the net to give Inter Miami a 3-2 lead. This go-ahead goal effectively sealed the game for Inter Miami. Segovia's performance included three goal contributions, matching a feat he last achieved on March 2, 2025.[goal+7]
Messi then added a final flourish to the victory in the 90th minute. After Orlando City midfielder Colin Guske received a second yellow card and was sent off, Messi buried the ensuing free kick. This sublime finish cemented the 4-2 scoreline and completed a remarkable turnaround. Messi's two goals brought his career MLS tally to 52 in 55 regular-season matches.[si+6]
Player Ratings and Team Mentality
Lionel Messi also received a high player rating of 9/10 for his two goals and leadership. His ability to create danger and deliver crucial goals when needed was highlighted. While Messi and Segovia shone, some Inter Miami players faced challenges in the first half. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair received a 4/10 rating, as did defender Noah Allen, who was substituted at halftime. Micael, Maxi Falcon, and German Berterame each received 5/10 ratings, reflecting early defensive struggles and a lack of attacking connection for Berterame. Facundo Mura earned a 6/10, while Yannick Bright also received a 6/10 for his work in clogging the midfield. Tadeo Allende was rated 7/10 for creating danger when linked with Messi.[goal+4]
Coach Javier Mascherano's halftime adjustments, including the introduction of Silvetti, were crucial to the team's improved second-half performance. The comeback win demonstrated a "championship mentality" from Inter Miami, according to Mascherano. This victory marked Inter Miami's first win at Inter&Co Stadium in nine attempts. Italso served as a strong bounce-back performance after their season-opening defeat, showcasing the team's ability to overcome adversity.[goal+5]
Looking Ahead
The dramatic win gives Inter Miami their first three points of the 2026 MLS season. The team will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming match. The performances of Messi and Segovia highlight their critical roles in Inter Miami's attacking prowess and their ability to turn games around.
