Lionel Messi delivered a goal and an assist to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday, in a heated Major League Soccer rematch of their fiery Leagues Cup final clash.
The 38-year-old Argentine star, who famously led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup and enjoyed a glittering spell at Barcelona, set the tone early by assisting Jordi Alba’s 12th-minute opener. Messi then doubled the lead himself in the 41st minute, giving Miami a 2-0 advantage at half-time.
American defender Ian Fray extended the lead to 3-0 in the 52nd minute, before Seattle managed a consolation goal through Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas in the 69th.
The match carried extra tension, serving as a rematch of the August 31 Leagues Cup final, where Seattle defeated Miami 3-0 in a match that ended in a benches-clearing brawl. The incident saw Inter striker Luis Suárez suspended after spitting on a Sounders staff member. The Uruguayan, who apologised earlier this month, is currently serving a three-match ban from MLS and a ban from the 2026 Leagues Cup. Tuesday marked the second match of that suspension.
With the win, Inter Miami bounced back from a 3-0 weekend defeat at Charlotte and improved to 14 wins, six losses, and seven draws for 49 points. They climbed to fifth place in the Eastern Conference, eight points behind leaders Philadelphia but with three games in hand.
Seattle, meanwhile, slipped to 12 wins, eight losses, and nine draws for 45 points, now sitting fourth in the Western Conference, just one point clear of Los Angeles FC.
