Messi Leads Inter Miami to a Stunning 5-1 Comeback Over New York Red Bulls

Inter Miami delivered a spectacular performance against the New York Red Bulls, securing a dominant 5-1 victory on Saturday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey in Major League Soccer (MLS) action.

New York Red Bulls initially took the lead in the 15th minute when Alexander Hack expertly volleyed Emil Forsberg's corner to put the hosts ahead. However, Inter Miami quickly turned the game around starting from the 24th minute with Jordi Alba scoring a precise top-right corner strike, assisted by a throughball from Lionel Messi, to equalize.

Shortly after, Telasco Segovia poked home Alba's cross for the second goal, giving Miami a 2-1 lead. Segovia then added a third just before halftime, finishing from range after Federico Redondo's clever play drew out the Red Bulls defenders. This remarkable turnaround before the break set the tone for the rest of the match.

In the second half, Lionel Messi took command, slotting home two more goals in the 60th and 75th minutes. First, he calmly rounded the keeper to double Miami's advantage, then chesting down Luis Suarez’s cross and drilling the ball into the net to finalize the scoreline at 5-1. Messi's brace marked his 17th and 18th goals of the MLS season, placing him at the top of the Golden Boot standings.

This victory also showcased Miami's resilience as they have now earned 13 points from losing positions this season, driven largely by Messi's consistency. Despite a slow start, Inter Miami outperformed their expected goals (xG) of 2.99 with 13 attempts, while tightly limiting the Red Bulls to just two shots on target and an xG of 1.17.

This emphatic win not only boosts Inter Miami’s position in the Eastern Conference but also keeps their MLS Supporters' Shield ambitions alive. With 41 points from 21 games, Miami remains a formidable contender as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, including the MLS All-Star Game and a rematch against Cincinnati October 26.

Messi's standout performance, coupled with strong support from teammates like Jordi Alba and Telasco Segovia, signals Inter Miami’s growing strength as they push deeper into the season.