Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami pulled off a remarkable comeback, defeating Orlando City 4-2 in the Florida Derby, on the second matchday of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer (MLS). It was the first time they had achieved this result on the road. Mateo Silvetti, Lionel Messi (with two goals), and Telasco Segovia, all in the second half, scored the goals.
In addition to Messi, who captained the side, Argentinians Rodrigo de Paul, Tadeo Allende, Facundo Mura, and Germán Berterame, one of the recent signings, started for Inter Miami, who got off to a poor start when the home side took the lead in a flurry of attacks.
In the 18th minute of the first half, De Paul made a mistake in possession, which Iván Angulo capitalized on, sending in a cross that Croatian Mario Pasalic controlled and fired home with his left foot past the helpless Dayne St. Clair. Five minutes later, the Argentine captain of the home side, Martín Ojeda, entered the box and, aided by a bit of luck, combined with a teammate and finished with his left foot for the second goal.
Javier Mascherano’s team reacted and had several chances, but Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was the star of the show. However, the floodgates opened in the second half: first, substitute Silvetti unleashed an unstoppable right-footed shot in the 3rd minute, and then, in the 11th minute, from a similar position, Messi did the same at the far post.
With five minutes remaining, Telasco Segovia found the ball inside the area and slotted it into the back of the net. Shortly after, Messi worked his magic again, burying a free kick. Thus, Mascherano’s men recovered from the 3-0 defeat suffered against Los Angeles FC in their opening match.
