Inter Miami CF turned a slow start into a spectacular road triumph Saturday night, storming back to defeat the New York Red Bulls 5-1 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Powered by a vintage Lionel Messi performance and standout contributions from Jordi Alba and Telasco Segovia, the visitors delivered a second-half clinic that left the home crowd stunned.
The match started brightly for the hosts when defender Alexander Hack opened the scoring in the 15th minute, giving the Red Bulls a short-lived advantage. But Inter Miami, unfazed by the early setback, responded with style and precision.
In the 24th minute, captain Lionel Messi threaded a superb line-splitting pass to Alba on the left edge of the box. Alba took full advantage, firing a powerful shot from a tight angle to beat the goalkeeper and net his first goal of the 2025 regular season. The goal capped a well-orchestrated team move that began with Sergio Busquets and included a secondary assist from Luis Suárez — his league-leading ninth of the year.
Just three minutes later, Messi and Alba combined once more to produce Inter Miami’s second goal. Messi clipped a delicate ball toward Alba, who then found Segovia free in the center of the box. Segovia made no mistake, striking home his sixth goal of the season. Alba’s seventh assist of the campaign and Messi’s ninth secondary assist underscored the team’s creative firepower.
Messi’s second assist of the night also etched his name into MLS history, making him just the fifth player ever to record at least 35 goals and 25 assists over a two-year span — joining the elite company of Robbie Keane, Sebastian Giovinco, Carlos Vela, and Cucho Hernández.
Right before halftime, Segovia capitalized on a loose ball after Federico Redondo’s effort inside the box, calmly slotting home to complete his brace and extend Inter Miami’s lead to 3-1.
In the second half, Inter Miami tightened their grip on the match. In the 60th minute, Alba headed down a ball into Busquets’ path, who then released Messi with an inch-perfect through ball. Messi rounded the goalkeeper and tucked away his 17th goal of the regular season. The sequence showcased the visitors’ class and cohesion, with Busquets collecting his fifth assist and Alba adding an eighth secondary assist for 2025.
Messi wasn’t done. In the 75th minute, Suárez delivered a low cross from the left flank that Messi struck with a crisp half-volley from inside the box, sealing the emphatic 5-1 win. The goal tied Messi atop the Golden Boot race with 18 goals this season, while Suárez reached double-digit assists (10) in MLS play this year.
The victory marked the first start for center back Gonzalo Luján since recovering from injury, returning to the lineup for the first time since May 28 against CF Montréal. Goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo also made his second start of the regular season, helping steady the backline after the early goal conceded.
Inter Miami’s dominant performance reaffirmed their status as a title contender, with Messi, Alba, and Segovia each playing instrumental roles in a comeback that blended experience, creativity, and clinical finishing.
Inter Miami return home to South Florida to host FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium on Saturday, July 26, with kickoff scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET.
