Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami maintained their momentum in MLS with a clinical 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake at America First Field. The result marks their second consecutive win on the road, proving the Herons are just as dangerous away from South Florida.
The match began as a struggle for the visitors, but Inter Miami gradually found their rhythm and dominated possession throughout the first half. Despite their control of the ball, they went into the halftime break frustrated, having failed to convert several high-quality scoring opportunities.
The script flipped in the second half as Real Salt Lake gained momentum, pinning Miami back and looking the more likely side to break the deadlock. However, against the run of play and with only ten minutes remaining, Rodrigo De Paul unleashed a stunning long-range strike to give Inter Miami a vital lead when they needed it most.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Herons struck again just two minutes later. Luis Suarez showcased his clinical finishing to double the lead and effectively seal the match. With this victory, Messi and company move within one point of league leaders Nashville SC, although the Tennessee side still holds a game in hand.
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End of the game!
Inter Miami defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0!
90'- Another great save by Cabral! (0-2)
Cabral denied Messi a goal once again after a fantastic free-kick!
87'- Messi almost scores! (0-2)
After a brilliant piece of skill by Messi, the Argentine unleashed a stinging low-driven shot from inside the box, but Rafael Cabral produced a sensational save to deny a third goal!
Diego Luna curled a brilliant free-kick that whistled just over the crossbar!
74'- Modification in Inter Miami (0-0)
Tadeo Allende was replaced by Luis Suarez.
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70'- Modification in Inter Miami (0-0)
Noah Allen was replaced by Ian Fray.
65'- Yellow card in Inter Miami (0-0)
Telasco Segovia received a yellow card.
63'- Another great try from Gozo (0-0)
After a nice play with Diego Luna, Gozo tried with a strike from inside the box, but it went just wide of the post.
60'- Modification in Salt Lake (0-0)
Alex Katranis was replaced by Juan Manuel Sanabria.
59'- Great save by St. Clair! (0-0)
Katranis unleashed a powerful strike, but Dayne St. Clair pulled off a spectacular save to deny the opening goal!
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58'- Yellow card in both teams (0-0)
Diego Luna and Micael were booked.
54'- Nice try from Gozo! (0-0)
Gozo received a brilliant pass inside the box and unleashed a powerful strike, but his shot whistled just over the crossbar.
50'- Berterame almost scores! (0-0)
After a great play by Messi, the Argentine captain left Berterame with space and the forward unleashed a low driven shot that went just wide the post.
The second half is underway!
Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami are already playing the second half!
First half summary
After an intense start from Real Salt Lake, it was Inter Miami who eventually seized control of the ball. As the half progressed, the visitors looked far more likely to open the scoring, creating several dangerous opportunities that kept the RSL defense on its toes.
With Lionel Messi acting as the focal point of every attack, Miami enjoyed 56% possession but struggled to clinicalize their chances in the final third. For the second half, the Salt Like will need to tighten their marking and improve their pressing triggers if they hope to regain their rhythm and keep the Herons at bay.
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Halftime!
The game goes to halftime!
45'+3- Yellow card in Salt Lake (0-0)
Stijn Spierings received a yellow card.
45'+1- Nice try from Berterame! (0-0)
After a great cross from Messi, Berterame tried with a powerful header that sailed over the crossbar.
42'- Yellow card in Real Salt Lake (0-0)
DeAndre Yedlin received a yellow card.
41'- Yellow card in Inter Miami (0-0)
Noah Allen received the first yellow card of the game.
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36'- Messi's free-kick blocked (0-0)
Messi unleashed a powerful strike from a free-kick, but his effort hit the wall and failed to create any danger.
31'- Salt Lake struggling to find rhythm (0-0)
The home side is struggling to maintain possession as Inter Miami take full control of the match.
26'- Inter Miami nearing the first one! (0-0)
Inter Miami are playing very aggressively and are looking more dangerous by the minute. The right wing, led by Facundo Mura, is proving to be the key to their attack, though the Argentine has struggled to find his target with his crosses so far.
21'- Great save by Cabral! (0-0)
Cabral denied Messi a goal after a powerful shot from inside the box from the Argentine!
15'- Inter Miami dominating (0-0)
After a difficult start, Inter Miami are now dominating the game and have generated the most dangerous chances so far.
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10'- Messi's shot blocked (0-0)
Lionel Messi set himself up for a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box, but his shot was blocked by a defender.
7'- Miami's turn! (0-0)
Leo Messi delivered a sublime pass to Noah Allen, who looked to set up a teammate with a header, nearly resulting in the opening goal of the match.
5'- Goal disallowed! (0-0)
Morgan Guilavogui found the back of the net for the opening goal of the match, but it was quickly disallowed for offside.
3'- Salt Lake almost score! (0-0)
Following a brilliant piece of play by Gozo, he whipped in a pinpoint cross for Solans, whose powerful header nearly opened the scoring!
GAME ON!
The game between Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami is underway!
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Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the field. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Both teams doing warm up activities
Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at America First Field!
Inter Miami lineup confirmed!
Inter Miami's starting XI: St. Clair; Lujan, Falcon, Silva, Mura; De Paul, Segovia, Allen; Messi, Allende; Berterame.
Salt Lake's starting XI: Rafael Cabral; DeAndre Yedlin, Justen Glad, Sam Junqua; Zavier Gozo, Noel Caliskan, Stijn Spierings, Alex Katranis; Diego Luna, Sergi Solans, Morgan Guilavogui.
Lionel Messi is expected to be in Inter Miami's starting lineup to face Real Salt Lake, as the Argentine captain has not suffered any setbacks in his most recent appearances.
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Today's referees
Pierre-Luc Lauziere has been appointed to officiate the clash between Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami. He will be joined on the field by Jeremy Hanson and Kali Smith, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Jeremy Hanson (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Kali Smith (USA)
Fourth official: Alexis Da Silva (USA)
VAR: Younes Marrakchi (USA)
Kickoff time and where to watch
Real Salt Lake vs Inter Miami will get underway at America First Field at 9:30 PM (ET).
Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami clash at MLS Matchday 9
Welcome to our live blog of the MLS! Real Salt Lake host Inter Miami at America First Field, with both teams looking for a win to keep pace with the league leaders.
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, bringing his expertise in soccer, NBA, and tennis to deliver original content while providing live coverage of important events.
