Orlando City stuns Inter Miami 4-3 after Messi's side blows 3-0 lead

Key facts

• Inter Miami led 3-0 after 33 minutes but lost 4-3 to Orlando City.
• Martín Ojeda scored a hat trick for Orlando City.
• Tyrese Spicer scored the winning goal in the 93rd minute.
• Inter Miami remains winless at Nu Stadium (0-1-3).
• Lionel Messi recorded a goal and two assists in his 100th appearance for Inter Miami.
• Inter Miami fell from second to third in the Eastern Conference.
• Orlando City moved to 13th place with three wins, seven losses, and one tie.
• Inter Miami's 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions ended.

A historic collapse at Nu Stadium

Inter Miami appeared destined for its first victory at the new Nu Stadium on Saturday night, racing to a 3-0 lead within the first 33 minutes. Instead, the defending MLS champions suffered a stunning 4-3 defeat to Orlando City, becoming only the third team in league history to lose after leading by three goals. The loss was Inter Miami's worst of the season and left the team winless in four matches at its new home. The crowd of more than 20,000 at Nu Stadium watched in disbelief as Orlando City mounted a miraculous comeback, capped by Tyrese Spicer's goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

Messi's brilliance undone by defensive collapse

Lionel Messi delivered a vintage first-half performance in his 100th appearance for Inter Miami across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists. The Argentine maestro set up Ian Fray's opener in the fourth minute and Telasco Segovia's goal in the 25th minute before adding a long-range strike of his own in the 33rd minute. But Inter Miami's defense unraveled in the second half. Orlando City's Martín Ojeda began the comeback with a solo goal in the 39th minute, then added two more after the break to level the score at 3-3. The equalizer came from a penalty conceded by Inter Miami center back Maxi Falcón, who was later described as having a catastrophic performance.

Orlando City's improbable rally

Orlando City entered the match near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with just two wins in 10 games. Yet the Lions showed remarkable resilience, becoming the first team in MLS history to overcome a three-goal deficit on the road since the LA Galaxy did so against LAFC in 2018. Martín Ojeda's hat trick was the centerpiece of the comeback. The Argentine attacking midfielder took control of the match in the second half, scoring twice more to bring his team level. Tyrese Spicer then completed the turnaround in stoppage time, getting behind Inter Miami's defense to slot home the winner.

Inter Miami's locker room reaction

The defeat left Inter Miami players visibly distraught. Right back Ian Fray, who scored the opening goal, said Messi addressed the team after the match, calling the result 'unacceptable.' Fray added, 'We all agree with him.' Left back Noah Allen compared the feeling to a personal heartbreak. 'I feel like my girlfriend just broke up with me, if I'm honest,' he said. 'It's a horrible feeling. We have to talk, we have to regroup.' Interim coach Guillermo Hoyos, who took over after Javier Mascherano's sudden departure less than three weeks ago, defended his players and cut short his postgame press conference after a seven-minute answer.

Goalkeeping heroics amid the chaos

Despite the high scoreline, both goalkeepers had memorable nights. Inter Miami's Dayne St. Clair made five saves, including a late breakaway stop with his face that temporarily preserved the lead. Orlando City's Maxime Crépeau recorded seven saves, including a mesmerizing four-save sequence that kept his team in the match. St. Clair's performance earned a D grade from one analyst, who noted that without the Canadian international, Miami likely would have lost by a more significant margin. Crépeau's efforts were instrumental in allowing Orlando City to stay within reach during Inter Miami's dominant first half.

What the result means for both teams

Inter Miami fell from second to third place in the Eastern Conference with a record of five wins, two losses, and four ties. The defending champions are now one of only three MLS teams without a home win this season, with their next match at Nu Stadium scheduled for May 17 against Portland. Orlando City, meanwhile, improved to 13th place with three wins, seven losses, and one tie. The victory snapped a three-match losing streak and provided a massive boost for a team that had struggled all season. The Lions will look to build on the momentum when they return to action next weekend.

A night that will be remembered

Saturday's match will go down as one of the most remarkable in MLS history. The comeback was the third time a team rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win, following Seattle's 4-3 victory over D.C. United in 2017 and the LA Galaxy's 4-3 win over LAFC in 2018. For Inter Miami, the loss raises serious questions about the team's defensive solidity and ability to close out matches. With Lionel Messi in top form, the Herons have the firepower to compete with any team, but their inability to protect a three-goal lead at home suggests deeper issues that interim coach Guillermo Hoyos must address quickly.

The bottom line

• Inter Miami became the third MLS team to lose after leading by three goals, falling 4-3 to Orlando City.
• Martín Ojeda's hat trick and Tyrese Spicer's stoppage-time winner completed the comeback.
• Lionel Messi had a goal and two assists in his 100th appearance but could not prevent the loss.
• Inter Miami remains winless at Nu Stadium (0-1-3) and dropped to third in the Eastern Conference.
• Orlando City moved to 13th place with the victory, snapping a three-match losing streak.
• The match was one of the greatest comebacks in MLS history, according to the league's website.