Messi's 100th appearance ends in historic collapse as Orlando City rallies from 3-0 down to stun Inter Miami 4-3

Key facts

• Inter Miami led 3-0 at halftime but conceded four unanswered goals, losing 4-3 at Nu Stadium on May 2, 2026.
• Lionel Messi recorded one goal and two assists in his 100th appearance for Inter Miami across all competitions.
• Orlando City's Martín Ojeda scored a hat trick, including a penalty to tie the match at 3-3.
• Tyrese Spicer scored the winner in the third minute of stoppage time, his first MLS goal of the season.
• Inter Miami fell from second to third place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 5 wins, 2 losses, and 4 ties.
• Orlando City moved to 3 wins, 7 losses, and 1 tie, remaining near the bottom of the East in 13th place.
• The comeback was only the third in MLS history where a team won after trailing by three goals, following Seattle (2017) and LA Galaxy (2018).
• Inter Miami are now winless in four home games at Nu Stadium (0-1-3), one of three MLS teams without a home win this season.

A night of history, but not the kind Miami expected

Inter Miami appeared poised to secure their first-ever victory at Nu Stadium, building a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half against their Florida Derby rivals Orlando City. Lionel Messi, making his 100th appearance for the club, orchestrated the attack with a goal and two assists, and the home crowd anticipated a landmark win. Instead, Orlando City produced a stunning second-half resurgence, scoring four unanswered goals to snatch a 4-3 victory. The result marked the third time in MLS history that a team has rallied from a three-goal deficit to win, and it extended Inter Miami's winless streak at their new venue to four matches.

Messi and Miami dominate the first half

The match began at a frenetic pace. Inside three minutes, Telasco Segovia delivered an angled cross that Ian Fray headed home for his first goal of the season, giving Inter Miami an early lead. Messi then turned provider, squaring the ball to Segovia for an easy finish into an open net in the 25th minute. Just before halftime, Messi added his own goal, cutting onto his left foot and curling a shot into the bottom corner. By the interval, Inter Miami had registered 10 shots on target, and only the heroics of Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau prevented the lead from growing larger. The 3-0 advantage seemed insurmountable, and the Herons appeared on course for a statement victory.

Ojeda's hat trick sparks Orlando's revival

Orlando City emerged from the halftime break transformed. Martín Ojeda pulled one back in the 68th minute with a left-footed strike, then added a second goal to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Argentine attacker completed his hat trick from the penalty spot after Maxi Falcon committed a foul in the box, leveling the match at 3-3. Ojeda, who had also played the full 90 minutes in a midweek US Open Cup victory over the New England Revolution, demonstrated relentless energy. Interim head coach Martín Perelman praised his star player, noting that Ojeda's refusal to leave the field epitomized his exceptional quality.

Spicer's stoppage-time winner completes the collapse

With the match tied and extra time looming, Orlando City struck the decisive blow. In the third minute of stoppage time, Braian Ojeda played a pass behind Inter Miami's defense, and Tyrese Spicer — the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft — ran onto the ball and slotted his shot between goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair's legs. The goal sent the Orlando bench into ecstasy and left Inter Miami players dejected, with the home crowd booing the referees after a potential foul in the box went uncalled in the final minutes. Despite the controversy, Inter Miami right back Ian Fray acknowledged that his team should have closed out the game.

Miami's defensive frailties and home woes exposed

Inter Miami's defensive performance came under scrutiny after the match. Center backs Maxi Falcon and Micael were particularly erratic, with Falcon conceding the penalty and struggling to track his man throughout. The team's inability to protect a three-goal lead raised questions about their resilience, especially after they had been unbeaten in their previous nine MLS matches. The defeat dropped Inter Miami from second to third place in the Eastern Conference, with five wins, two losses, and four ties. More concerning is their form at Nu Stadium, where they remain winless in four attempts (0-1-3). The next home game, against Portland on May 17, now carries added pressure.

Orlando's season finds a potential turning point

For Orlando City, the victory could be the catalyst their season desperately needed. Entering the match near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings in 13th place, with just two wins in their first 10 games, the Lions had shown attacking promise but lacked consistency. The comeback against their in-state rivals demonstrated their resilience and attacking quality. Martín Ojeda, now with seven goals this season, has emerged as a key figure. Interim coach Perelman emphasized the team's unity and focus on their long-term goals. The win also marked only the third time in MLS history that a team has overcome a three-goal deficit to win, placing Orlando City in exclusive company alongside Seattle (2017) and LA Galaxy (2018).

Messi's milestone overshadowed, questions linger

Lionel Messi's 100th appearance for Inter Miami was a statistical success — a goal and two assists in the first half — but it was ultimately overshadowed by the team's collapse. After the match, Messi reportedly addressed the locker room, calling the outcome "unacceptable," a sentiment echoed by Fray. Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos, who took over less than three weeks ago after Javier Mascherano's sudden departure, defended his players but closed his postgame press conference abruptly after a lengthy answer about the defense. The defending champions now face scrutiny over their ability to close out matches and their ongoing struggles at home, with the next fixture against Portland offering a chance to reset.

The bottom line

• Orlando City's 4-3 comeback from 3-0 down is only the third such victory in MLS history.
• Martín Ojeda's hat trick and Tyrese Spicer's stoppage-time winner sealed the historic win.
• Lionel Messi contributed a goal and two assists in his 100th Inter Miami appearance, but it was not enough.
• Inter Miami remain winless at Nu Stadium after four home games, with their next home match on May 17 against Portland.
• The defeat dropped Inter Miami from second to third in the Eastern Conference, while Orlando City stayed 13th but gained crucial momentum.
• Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos defended his players but faced questions about defensive lapses after the collapse.