Inter Miami complete 3-2 comeback vs NYCFC in MLS, including a Lionel Messi free-kick goal

Inter Miami beat New York City FC 3-2 in this thrilling MLS matchup, and you lived every moment of the comeback here, on Bolavip.

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The referee blows the final whistle, and Inter Miami complete a thrilling comeback to defeat New York City FC 3-2.

With his stunning free-kick strike, Lionel Messi has now reached 71 career free-kick goals. For context, Cristiano Ronaldo sits at 63 free-kick goals, highlighting Messi’s continued excellence from set-piece situations throughout his career.

The fourth official signals six minutes of stoppage time at the end of regulation.

New York City FC nearly level the score after a clever interplay between Talles Magno and Fernandez. Fernandez returns the ball to Magno, who takes a shot, but David Ayala gets a crucial deflection to prevent the strike from finding the back of the net.

New York City FC make double changes as Tayvon Gray and Agustin Ojeda come off for Drew Baiera and Seymour Reid.

Lionel Messi produces a brilliant solo run, accelerating just past midfield while keeping the ball close to his feet. He enters the box and fires a shot on goal, but Matthew Freese comes up big with an outstanding save to keep New York City FC in the game.

New York City FC bring on Talles Magno, replacing Hannes Wolf as they look to refresh their attacking options.

Inter Miami thought they had scored again after Daniel Pinter received a precise pass from Lionel Messi and whipped in a cross to German Berterame, who finished brilliantly. However, the goal is ruled out for offside, as Pinter was offside at the moment Messi delivered the pass, nullifying the strike.

New York City FC make a change as Keaton Parks comes off for Jonathan Shore, looking to refresh their midfield.

Inter Miami respond with three substitutions: Bright, Silvetti, and Ian Fray are replaced by German Berterame, Facundo Mura, and David Ruiz, injecting energy and tactical options as they aim to maintain their lead.

Inter Miami take the lead with a beautifully executed attacking play, responding decisively in the second half. Noah Allen delivers a precise cross into the box, finding Micael, who rises and connects with a powerful, angled header to beat the goalkeeper and give Inter Miami the advantage.

Inter Miami are finding it difficult to build from the back as New York City FC apply intense pressure in their defensive third. The midfield dominance from NYCFC limits space for David Ayala and Yannick Bright to receive the ball, forcing Miami into hurried passes and disrupting their rhythm in possession.

A peculiar moment for Inter Miami as Ian Fray, already booked earlier, is shown what appears to be a caution signal by the referee, but without a yellow card in hand.

It seems to be a verbal warning or official notice rather than a second booking, likely intended to keep the defender in check without issuing a further card.

Inter Miami bring on Daniel Pinter, replacing Tadeo Allende in midfield.

A bold tactical move from coach Mascherano, who still has key options like Suarez and Berterame waiting on the bench, showing intent to refresh the lineup and push for a winning goal.

Inter Miami answer right away after conceding, finding the equalizer through a set-piece opportunity. Following a foul by Maxi Moralez, who is shown a yellow card, Lionel Messi steps up from distance and fires a low shot under the wall, slightly deflected on its way in, beating the goalkeeper to level the match once again.

New York City FC take the lead with a brilliant attacking move, turning the game around in the second half. Maxi Moralez delivers a perfectly weighted through ball between two defenders, setting up Agustin Ojeda one-on-one, and he makes no mistake, beating St. Clair to give NYCFC the advantage.

Micael was the first Inter Miami player booked after a foul in midfield, committing a foul on Hannes Wolf during a contested play.

Shortly after, Ian Fray also sees yellow for a challenge on Nicolas Fernandez, as Inter Miami begin to rack up cautions in the second half.

The second half has started with a more balanced rhythm, as both New York City FC and Inter Miami share possession and look for openings. The intensity remains high, and this one is likely to be decided in midfield, where both sides are battling for control and trying to dictate the tempo.

Mateo Silvetti gets on the end of a well-worked move and takes a right-footed shot from the left side of the box. Set up by David Ayala, the attempt lacks accuracy and sails well wide of the target, as Inter Miami continue to search for the go-ahead goal.

New York City FC and Inter Miami are back on the field as the second half kicks off in this tightly contested matchup.

Inter Miami felt superior throughout the first half, controlling possession with 58.6% compared to New York City FC’s 41.4%, but their lack of precision in front of goal has kept the match level.

The difference is clear in efficiency: New York City FC registered just four shots, with two on target and one resulting in a goal, while Inter Miami produced 15 total attempts but only five on target. That lack of finishing is something they must improve if they want to take control of the game in the second half.

The referee brings the first half to a close with New York City FC and Inter Miami level on the scoreboard.

The fourth official signals two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

Lionel Messi gets another clear look at goal after bringing down a cross with his chest inside the box. He quickly fires a first-time right-footed shot, but it drifts wide, as Inter Miami continue to create chances without finding the net.

Incredible chance for Inter Miami as Lionel Messi finds himself in a familiar position at the edge of the box. He cuts inside with his trademark move and unleashes a low shot, but it crashes off the post, denying Miami once again in what could have been a spectacular goal.

The referee shows the first yellow card of the game as Gonzalo Lujan is booked for a foul on Nicolas Fernandez.

Lionel Messi is given space once more at the edge of the box and quickly gets his shot off, looking dangerous as always. Matthew Freese steps up again, though, making another outstanding save to keep New York City FC level.

New York City FC nearly take the lead after Maxi Moralez finds space at the edge of the box and fires a dangerous shot toward goal. St. Clair is well-positioned, though, reacting quickly to make the save and deny NYCFC, keeping Inter Miami level at a crucial moment.

Tremendous play from Lionel Messi, who weaves through defenders with close control as he approaches the box. He cuts inside and aims for the far post with a precise strike, but the shot drifts just wide, coming agonizingly close to restoring Inter Miami’s lead.

Inter Miami come close to retaking the lead after a strong run down the flank by Silvetti, who delivers a dangerous cross into the box. The ball falls to Segovia, but his attempt is deflected by Trewin and goes out for a corner, which ultimately comes to nothing as New York City FC clear the danger.

New York City FC have found their rhythm and are now pushing forward with sustained attacking pressure, shifting the momentum of the match. The change has been driven by an outstanding midfield performance from O'Neill, Moralez, and Parks, who are dictating play, winning second balls, and creating consistent problems for Inter Miami.

New York City FC find the equalizer spectacularly after a dangerous free kick conceded by Micael just outside the box. Fernandez Mercau steps up and curls a brilliant strike toward goal, hitting the post and going in off the angle for a stunning finish, leaving no chance for the goalkeeper and bringing NYCFC level.

New York City FC earn their first corner of the match, taken by Maxi Moralez. The delivery into the box, however, fails to create danger, with Inter Miami clearing comfortably.

Inter Miami have come out with tremendous intensity in these opening minutes, arguably their most aggressive start of the season as they look to respond to the disappointment of their Concacaf Champions Cup elimination against Nashville.

New York City FC are not backing down, though, as they begin to push higher up the field and apply pressure, looking to disrupt Miami’s rhythm and force mistakes in build-up.

Inter Miami continue to push forward as Mateo Silvetti unleashes a shot from outside the box after a quick ball recovery.

Moments later, Fray wins possession again and feeds Lionel Messi, who cuts inside onto his left foot and fires his trademark shot, but Matthew Freese comes up with a brilliant save to keep New York City FC in the game.

Inter Miami have looked sharp in the opening minutes, controlling the tempo and moving the ball with purpose after taking the lead. David Ayala is stepping into a key role as the connector between the back line and Lionel Messi, helping generate space and attacking sequences, while Bright has alternated in that responsibility to keep the midfield dynamic and fluid.

Inter Miami strike first from a set piece after earning a corner through a build-up between Bright and Fray, though Trewin initially shut it down. Lionel Messi delivers the corner, it gets cleared, but the rebound falls kindly inside the box where Gonzalo Lujan fires a first-time shot into the net to open the scoring.

New York City FC and Inter Miami kick off this MLS matchup in the Big Apple.

New York City FC and Inter Miami are now on the pitch for the pregame protocol, getting set for kickoff.

Both sides are going through the final formalities, including the traditional handshake, as the atmosphere builds ahead of this MLS clash.

The referee crew for today’s MLS matchup has been confirmed, with Armando Villarreal set to take charge of the game.

REF: Armando Villarreal
AR1: Jeremy Hanson
AR2: Tyler Wyrostek
4TH: Marcos DeOliveira
VAR: Lukasz Szpala
AVAR: Craig Lowry

Inter Miami have held the edge in recent meetings against New York City FC, including a dominant win in the most recent playoff clash:

• November 29, 2025: Inter Miami 5-1 New York City FC (MLS Eastern Conference Final)
• September 24, 2025: New York City FC 0-4 Inter Miami (MLS)
• February 22, 2025: Inter Miami 2-2 New York City FC (MLS)
• September 21, 2024: New York City FC 1-1 Inter Miami (MLS)
• March 30, 2024: Inter Miami 1-1 New York City FC (MLS)

Inter Miami starting XI: St Clair; Ian Fray, Lujan Melli, Micael, Noah Allen; Yannick Bright, David Ayala, Mateo Silvetti, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, Tadeo Allende.

New York City FC starting XI: Matthew Freese; Tayvon Gray, Thiago Martins, Kai Trewin, Kevin O'Toole; Keaton Parks, Maxi Moralez, Aiden O'Neill; Agustin Ojeda, Fernandez Mercau, Hannes Wolf.

Lionel Messi is expected to be in the starting lineup for Inter Miami against New York City FC as the focus shifts fully back to MLS play.

Following the Concacaf Champions Cup elimination, Inter Miami are prioritizing the league, especially after rotating the squad in their previous MLS outing to stay fresh for the match against Nashville. Now out of the tournament, the Herons are set to go all in as they look to bounce back and regain momentum in MLS action.

Rodrigo De Paul will not be playing in today’s MLS matchup between New York City FC and Inter Miami.

His absence was confirmed after he missed Saturday’s training session, raising concern within the squad ahead of kickoff. According to the club’s official report, De Paul suffered a muscle contusion in his left leg after taking a hit in the previous match against Nashville, ruling him out for this clash.

New York City FC vs Inter Miami will get underway at 1:00 PM ET (PT: 10:00 PM)

Watch this MLS match between NYCFC and Inter Miami live in the USA on MLS League Pass on Apple TV.

Welcome to our live blog of today’s MLS matchup!

New York City FC face Inter Miami in the Big Apple this Sunday, with both sides looking to make a statement early in the season. Inter Miami arrive aiming to bounce back after their elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup, while NYCFC look to extend their strong run of form.

Stay with us for key updates, essential information, and minute-by-minute coverage as New York City FC and Inter Miami go head-to-head today.