A star-powered performance led by Rodrigo De Paul and captain Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami CF secure a hard-fought 2–1 victory over D.C. United on Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.
In front of a record-breaking crowd of 72,026 fans for D.C. United, Inter Miami delivered an early attacking burst that proved decisive, claiming three valuable points in MLS regular-season action.
Inter Miami lined up with Dayne St. Clair in goal behind a back four of Facundo Mura, Maximiliano Falcón, Micael and Noah Allen. De Paul and Yannick Bright anchored the midfield, while Mateo Silvetti, Messi and Telasco Segovia operated further forward behind striker Germán Berterame.
Inter Miami struck first in the 17th minute thanks to a brilliant sequence initiated by Berterame. The forward pressed aggressively down the left flank, recovering possession near the endline before cutting the ball back into the penalty area.
Segovia received the pass and quickly spotted De Paul arriving at the edge of the box. The Argentine midfielder took one touch before unleashing a powerful right-footed strike that flew into the top-left corner. The goal marked De Paul’s first of the MLS season, while Segovia collected his third assist of the campaign.
Ten minutes later, Miami’s talisman added another highlight to his growing club legacy. Silvetti delivered a perfectly threaded pass from the left flank that split the defense and found Messi making a run inside the box. With trademark composure, the Argentine legend chipped the ball delicately over the advancing goalkeeper to extend Miami’s lead to 2–0 in the 27th minute.
The goal was Messi’s third of the MLS season and his 80th in Inter Miami colors, further cementing his impact since arriving in South Florida.
D.C. United pushed forward after halftime and eventually found a breakthrough in the 75th minute when striker Tai Baribo finished a chance to cut the deficit to 2–1.
Despite the late pressure from the hosts, Miami’s defense held firm through the closing minutes to preserve the victory.
The final whistle sealed Inter Miami’s second consecutive MLS win, continuing a positive stretch as the club balances domestic play with international competition.
Inter Miami now shifts focus to continental action, traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, to face Nashville SC in the first leg of their Round of 16 matchup in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The match will be played Wednesday, March 11 at GEODIS Park, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET as Miami looks to carry its momentum onto the international stage.
