Lionel Messi delivered a standout performance—taking five shots, creating four chances, and scoring a goal. He earned the highest rating of the match and was named Man of the Match. Yet, despite his brilliance, Messi had little to celebrate as his team, Inter Miami, suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Minnesota United in Major League Soccer.
Since Messi joined the MLS side, Miami hadn’t lost by such a wide margin. Missing key attacker Luis Suárez due to injury, the team struggled more in defense than in offense.
Minnesota took control early, with goals from Bongokuhle Hlongwane in the 32nd minute and Hassani Dotson just before halftime (45+2), giving the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break.
Miami pulled one back in the 48th minute when Jordi Alba set up Messi, who scored his 860th career goal. But any hopes of a comeback faded quickly.
In the 68th minute, Argentine defender Marcelo Weigandt scored an own goal, extending Minnesota’s lead to 3-1. Just two minutes later, Robin Lod added a fourth, sealing a dominant win for the hosts.
This was Inter Miami’s heaviest defeat since July 2023, and the defensive issues are mounting. Coach Javier Mascherano’s side has now lost four of their last five matches across all competitions, conceding 14 goals during that stretch.
In the Eastern Conference standings, Inter Miami sit in fourth place with 21 points from 12 matches. Meanwhile, Minnesota are second in the Western Conference with 22 points from the same number of games.
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Lionel Messi delivered a standout performance—taking five shots, creating four chances, and scoring a goal. He earned the highest rating of the match and was named Man of the Match. Yet, despite his brilliance, Messi had little to celebrate as his team, Inter Miami, suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Minnesota United in Major League Soccer.
Since Messi joined the MLS side, Miami hadn’t lost by such a wide margin. Missing key attacker Luis Suárez due to injury, the team struggled more in defense than in offense.
Minnesota took control early, with goals from Bongokuhle Hlongwane in the 32nd minute and Hassani Dotson just before halftime (45+2), giving the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break.
Miami pulled one back in the 48th minute when Jordi Alba set up Messi, who scored his 860th career goal. But any hopes of a comeback faded quickly.
In the 68th minute, Argentine defender Marcelo Weigandt scored an own goal, extending Minnesota’s lead to 3-1. Just two minutes later, Robin Lod added a fourth, sealing a dominant win for the hosts.
This was Inter Miami’s heaviest defeat since July 2023, and the defensive issues are mounting. Coach Javier Mascherano’s side has now lost four of their last five matches across all competitions, conceding 14 goals during that stretch.
In the Eastern Conference standings, Inter Miami sit in fourth place with 21 points from 12 matches. Meanwhile, Minnesota are second in the Western Conference with 22 points from the same number of games.
