Lionel Messi scored two goals, and Telasco Sevogia netted the game-winner in the 85th minute, helping Inter Miami secure a 4-2 comeback victory over Orlando City on Sunday night.
Mateo Silvetti contributed with one goal and one assist during Miami’s strong second half, which allowed them to overcome a 2-0 deficit. This win puts the Herons at 1-1-0 with 3 points, following their earlier loss to Los Angeles FC.
Messi scored in the 57th and 90th minutes, bringing his total to eight goals in five matches against Orlando City.
Marco Pasalic and Martin Ojeda were the scorers for Orlando City, who remain without points at 0-2-0.
Orlando could not clear the ball from their zone leading up to the tiebreaking goal. Miami’s German Berterame collected the ball, which eventually led to Sevogia’s right-footed shot into the net.
Just three minutes later, Colin Guske of Orlando received a second yellow card for fouling Messi, resulting in his ejection and leaving Orlando with ten players for the remainder of the match, which included 10 minutes of stoppage time.
Messi then scored again in the 90th minute from a free kick, placing a left-footed shot past the wall and into the left corner of the net, giving Miami a two-goal lead.
Dayne St. Clair made three saves for Miami, who outshot Orlando City 16-12 and had eight shots on target compared to Orlando’s five. Maxime Crepeau recorded four saves for Orlando.
Orlando City had won both of last season’s regular-season matchups, defeating Miami 4-0 and 3-1.
Miami quickly turned the game around after halftime, with Silvetti scoring with a right-footed shot from outside the box in the 49th minute.
Messi then equalized in the 57th minute, shooting a left-footed shot inside the right post.
Ojeda had a chance to put Orlando back in the lead in the 70th minute, but St. Clair made a save on his close-range attempt.
Orlando opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Ivan Angulo set up Pasalic, who scored with a left-footed shot after it deflected off St. Clair.
Six minutes later, Orlando made it 2-0 as Ojeda and Griffin Dorsey executed a quick give-and-go, with Ojeda finishing with a right-footed shot into the corner.
Crepeau made three important saves in the first half, including a stop on a Messi shot in the 28th minute, and Messi also sent a free kick wide right before halftime.