Inter Miami made a stunning comeback to defeat New York City FC 3-2, with Lionel Messi scoring an equalizer and assisting on the winning goal. The match took place at Yankee Stadium, marking NYCFC's first loss of the season. Inter Miami's Gonzalo Luj谩n opened the scoring with his debut goal, while Nicol谩s Fern谩ndez and Agust铆n Ojeda responded for NYCFC. Messi's impactful performance included a crucial free kick goal, his fourth of the season, and an assist on Micael dos Santos' game-winner.

By the Numbers
  • Messi scored his fourth goal in the season, totaling 54 goals in 58 MLS appearances.
  • Nicol谩s Fern谩ndez netted his fifth goal of the season in just his 16th career appearance.
  • Agust铆n Ojeda recorded his second goal this season and fifth in 61 career matches.
Yes, But

Despite the loss, NYCFC remains tied for second place in the Eastern Conference. Key players like Fern谩ndez and Ojeda contributed significantly, showcasing the team's competitiveness this season. The match highlighted areas for improvement for NYCFC's defense, especially after allowing multiple goals in quick succession.

State of Play
  • Inter Miami is now tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 3-1-1.
  • NYCFC's undefeated streak ended, leaving them with a similar record of 3-1-1.
What's Next

Inter Miami will host Austin FC on April 4, hoping to capitalize on their recent momentum. NYCFC is also set to host St. Louis City on the same date, aiming to bounce back from the loss.

Bottom Line

Messi's influence continues to shine as Inter Miami climbs the standings, demonstrating that with his leadership, they're a serious contender this season. The dynamics of the Eastern Conference tighten as both teams look to solidify their playoff positions, making their upcoming matches pivotal.