How Lionel Messi’s Stunning Free Kick Sparked an Unbelievable Inter Miami Comeback Against Orlando City

Inter Miami made the trip down to Inter&Co Stadium for a crucial showdown against Orlando City in the early throes of the 2026 MLS campaign — both teams itching to shake off the rust from less-than-stellar season openers. The Florida Derby set the stage for an electrifying contest, but it was the Herons, spearheaded by none other than Lionel Messi, who stole the limelight with a jaw-dropping free kick to cap off a spirited 4-2 turnaround. From the get-go, Miami’s grip on possession clashed with the sheer tenacity of a sharp Maxime Crépeau, while Orlando’s clinical edge paid dividends with early strikes — setting the tone for a fraught battle. Yet, tactical tweaks from Miami’s sideline and moments of individual brilliance, especially from Messi and Mateo Silvetti, flipped the narrative in the second half. The final whistle confirmed a comeback packed with resilience and spectacle, giving Miami their first taste of victory this season. Intrigued to dive deeper into this rollercoaster clash? LEARN MORE .

Inter Miami traveled to Inter&Co Stadium to face Orlando City on Matchday 2 of the 2026 MLS season, with both Eastern Conference sides looking to bounce back after disappointing openers. Led by a starring Lionel Messi, who capped his performance with a stunning free kick, the Herons completed a remarkable 4-2 comeback in the first Florida Derby of the season.

Despite controlling possession for long stretches, Inter Miami ran into a sharp Maxime Crépeau early on, and their inability to break down a well-organized Orlando side left them exposed at the back. The Lions made them pay, first in the 18th minute when a misplaced pass from Rodrigo De Paul allowed Iván Angulo to whip in a cross for Marco Pašalić, who met it with a crisp half-volley to open the scoring.

Six minutes later, Martín “Tincho” Ojeda doubled the lead with a brilliant trivela after a slick combination with Griffin Dorsey. Trailing by two at halftime, with Orlando City comfortably sitting deep for much of the half and holding just 39% of the possession, Miami head coach Javier Mascherano made an attacking change at the break, sending on Mateo Silvetti in place of defender Noah Allen.

The gamble paid off almost immediately, as Silvetti, following a pass from Telasco Segovia, unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box to halve the deficit in the 49th minute. Then, in the 57th, Lionel Messi finally found the back of the net for his first official goal of 2026, curling a shot into the far corner that Crépeau had no answer for.

As the game entered its final stages, Germán Berterame drove to the end line and delivered a cross to Messi, who laid it off to Segovia to complete the comeback in the 85th minute. Then, after drawing a red card from an ill-timed Guske foul, 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 Inter Miami’s first three points of the MLS season.

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