Inter Miami Clinches Thrilling 6-4 Win Over Philadelphia Union

Luis Suarez recorded a hat trick while German Berterame scored a brace, leading host Inter Miami to a vibrant and record-setting 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday night.

Suarez’s third goal in the 81st minute became the game-winner for Inter Miami (9-2-4, 31 points), marking the team’s fourth consecutive win as they head into a two-month FIFA World Cup break. On his 32nd birthday, Rodrigo De Paul added the sixth goal for Miami, assisted by Mateo Silvetti in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

The Union (1-10-4, 7 points) remain winless in their last eight matches (0-4-4) and have lost three of their last four games.

Despite the victory, concerns arose for superstar Lionel Messi, who left the match in the 73rd minute after grabbing his left thigh. He walked off the field directly to the locker room after struggling to run for nearly a minute before being substituted for Silvetti.

Suarez’s initial two goals were part of a first half where the teams ended in a 4-4 tie, setting a Major League Soccer record for the most combined goals in a first half. The eight goals scored also tied for the highest in any half.

The match featured a total of 10 goals, the second-most ever scored in an MLS game.

Additionally, it marked the second occurrence in MLS history with two hat tricks, as Philadelphia’s Milan Iloski also netted three goals in the first half.

Iloski’s first two goals came from penalty kicks, giving the Union an early 2-0 lead, followed by another goal from Bruno Damiani that extended their advantage to 3-1 after Berterame pulled Miami closer.

Inter Miami made a significant comeback with two quick goals within two minutes from Berterame, set up by Messi, and Suarez, thanks to an assist from Ian Fray.