Lionel Messi scored a stunning late winner to complete a comeback as Inter Miami edged Colorado Rapids 3–2 in front of the second-largest crowd in MLS history at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday.
The Argentine talisman, playing in Colorado for the first time in his career, was at his imperious best when it mattered most, curling a trademark finish into the top corner in the 79th minute to seal a dramatic 3–2 victory and hand new head coach Guillermo Hoyos a winning start in his first game in charge.
The backdrop could hardly have been more dramatic. Colorado’s 30th Anniversary match had been moved from their usual home at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to the Denver Broncos’ Empower Field at Mile High, and 75,824 supporters packed in to witness it, the second-highest attendance in MLS history, behind only the 82,110 who watched El Tráfico at the Rose Bowl on 4th July 2023.
It was also Hoyos’ competitive debut as Miami’s interim head coach, having taken over following Javier Mascherano’s shock resignation earlier in the week. David Beckham had urged patience in the search for a permanent successor, but Hoyos, who previously worked with Messi during his time at Barcelona’s academy, had little time to settle in. On the evidence of this result, he won’t need much.
Colorado started the brighter of the two sides, controlling possession and pressing Miami high up the pitch. But the visitors struck against the run of play in the 18th minute when a loose pass from goalkeeper Zack Steffen was pounced on by Yannick Bright inside the Rapids’ box. Josh Atencio’s challenge brought him down, and after a VAR review confirmed the spot-kick, Messi rolled the penalty into the bottom corner with characteristic calm.
Wayne Frederick and Paxten Aaronson both went close as the Rapids pushed for an equaliser, but Miami doubled their advantage deep into first-half stoppage time. Mateo Silvetti delivered a hanging cross from the right, and Germán Berterame, continuing his fine vein of form, muscled his way ahead of Kosi Thompson before powering a header past Steffen. Two-nil at the break, and seemingly in control.
Colorado came out a transformed side after the interval. In the 58th minute, Rafael Navarro, named MLS Player of the Week just days earlier after a brace against Houston, produced a moment of real quality, receiving the ball on halfway, slaloming past Micael and slotting coolly past Dayne St. Clair to halve the deficit.
Four minutes later, the Rapids were level. Substitute Darren Yapi was picked out by a precise Lucas Herrington pass and slid his finish beneath St. Clair to make it 2–2, sending a raucous crowd into delirium. At that moment, Colorado looked the more likely side to go on and win it.
Miami’s evening was further complicated when Bright was shown a straight red card for foul and abusive language towards the officials, leaving the defending MLS Cup champions to see out the contest with ten men.
With the odds firmly against them, Inter Miami turned to the man who has spent his career defying them. Cutting in from the right, Messi feinted past his marker, shifted onto his left foot and bent a vintage finish into the top-left corner. It was his seventh goal of the MLS season in just seven appearances, and arguably his most important.
Even Bright’s dismissal could not derail Miami in the closing stages, as they held on to secure three points and move second in the Eastern Conference.
For Colorado, it brought an eight-game unbeaten run in home regular-season matches to an end. The Rapids fought admirably and will take heart from their second-half performance, but on a night when Messi had more shots (three), more shots on target (two) and more passes in the final third (13) than any other Miami player, there was ultimately only going to be one winner.
