Lionel Messi scored a goal as Inter Miami defeated D.C. United 2-1 on Saturday in front of over 70,000 fans at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Rodrigo De Paul also scored for Miami (2-1-0, 6 points), giving them a 2-0 lead before they held on in the second half.
Tai Baribo netted his second goal of the season for D.C. United (1-2-0, 3 points) in the 75th minute, marking their second defeat in a row and keeping them winless in their last six meetings with Inter Miami (0-4-2).
The defending MLS Cup champions had a successful trip, visiting the White House on Thursday where they presented President Donald Trump with an Inter Miami jersey featuring his name and the number 47.
This was Messi’s first match against D.C. United away from home. He joined Miami in 2023, just a week after Miami played in Washington. Injuries had previously kept him from playing in D.C.
Messi’s goal came in the 27th minute from a pass by Mateo Silvetti, extending Miami’s lead to 2-0. He skillfully chipped the ball over D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson (three saves) with his left foot.
This marked the 899th goal of Messi’s career, which includes time with the Argentina national team, as well as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. He scored his first goal in 2005 with Barcelona at age 17.
Miami’s first goal was scored in the 17th minute when German Berterame capitalized on a blunder by D.C. defender Lucas Bartlett near the left corner of the penalty area.
Berterame passed to Telasco Segovia at the top left of the box, who then set up De Paul for a curling right-footed shot into the top left corner, marking De Paul’s first regular-season goal in two years with Miami.
Gabriel Pirani had D.C.’s best chance in the first half after receiving a pass from Baribo, but his left-footed shot went just wide of the right post. In the second half, Louis Munteanu’s overhead kick also missed the mark.
Baribo’s goal came after D.C. goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair (two saves) made a diving save on a shot by Jackson Hopkins but failed to recover, allowing Baribo to tap in the rebound.
Miami controlled 59.5% of possession during the game. While D.C. United had eight corner kicks to Miami’s one, they struggled to create good scoring opportunities.