After missing a penalty in his previous outing his first miss since 2022 Lionel Messi bounced back in style to inspire Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer on Tuesday night. The Argentine star was directly involved in two goals, scoring once and providing an assist, as Miami returned to winning ways.
Messi played a key role in the opener, combining brilliantly with Jordi Alba. His outside-of-the-foot pass set up Alba, who finished neatly in the 12th minute to give Inter Miami the lead. The duo linked up again before halftime, with Alba providing the final ball for Messi to score in the 41st minute, doubling Miami’s advantage. Earlier, Messi had come close when a powerful effort in the 28th minute struck the post.
Inter Miami 3-1 Seattle
Miami extended their lead shortly after the restart when Ian Frere headed in Rodrigo de Paul’s corner to make it 3-0. Seattle pulled one back in the 69th minute through Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas, but it proved only a consolation.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano praised the team’s response after recent setbacks. “The loss in the League Cup final hurt us. This win was very important. We want to get back to winning ways,” he said. Mascherano emphasized that the squad must now treat every fixture as decisive, adding: “After losing two matches, many people thought it was over. I told the players it just adds pressure every match is like a final for us.”
Miami were once again without Luis Suárez, who continues to serve a three-match suspension in MLS. However, new signing Mateo Silvetti, a youngster from Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys, made his debut.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami will face D.C. United next Saturday, while the Seattle Sounders take on Austin FC on Sunday.
