Messi Magic Gives Inter Miami Crucial Home Victory
Lionel Messi delivered a goal and a breathtaking assist to hand Inter Miami their first victory at Nu Stadium on Sunday, as the defending Major League Soccer champions swept aside the Portland Timbers 2-0 in a commanding home display.
The performance arrived at a significant moment, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off in less than a month across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The 38-year-old Argentine legend was a constant menace to the Timbers’ backline throughout the contest. His opening goal on the half-hour mark was the product of sharp combination play. Messi initiated the move before laying off to Luis Suarez, who threaded a through ball to Telasco Segovia. Segovia responded with an instinctive backheel that rolled perfectly back to Messi, who swept a composed finish into the far corner.
Ten minutes later, fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul drove up the right flank and found Messi, who exchanged a quick one-two with Suarez before weaving his way through four defenders inside the box. Using the outside of his left foot, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner set up German Berterame for a straightforward tap-in.
The second half was a quieter affair. Messi curled a left-foot effort from distance that shaved inches past the post, and deep into stoppage time, goalkeeper James Pantemis produced a stunning full-stretch dive to tip away what would have been a spectacular free kick.
Sunday’s win carries additional significance beyond the result. Nu Stadium, a gleaming 27,000-capacity purpose-built arena opened to great fanfare last month, had until now failed to produce a single home victory for Inter Miami. The club endured three frustrating draws and suffered a humiliating 4-3 collapse against Orlando City after leading 3-0, across its first four home fixtures at the new ground.
The victory propels Inter Miami to the summit of the Eastern Conference, one point clear of Nashville SC, who hold two games in hand.
On the global stage, Messi’s preparations are firmly focused on the World Cup, which begins June 11. The Argentine, who lifted the trophy with his country at the 2022 Qatar edition, is on course to join Cristiano Ronaldo as the only players to appear in six different World Cup tournaments.