Inter Miami arrived at Yankee Stadium on Sunday afternoon carrying the bruises of a midweek Champions Cup elimination. They left with three points after one of the MLS season's most dramatic comebacks so far.
Final score: NYCFC 2-3 Inter Miami.
The Herons made the best possible start. From a Messi corner, the ball broke to the edge of the box via Telasco Segovia, and defender Gonzalo Luján was on hand to fire a composed half-volley past Matt Freese inside four minutes. A perfect opening.
But NYCFC — unbeaten in their first four games of 2026 and top of the Eastern Conference — were not going to lie down. Nicolás Fernández Mercau curled a stunning free kick past Dayne St. Clair to level before half time, and after the break Agustín Ojeda was played through by a perfect Maxi Moralez pass to give the home side the lead.
Then Messi.
Stepping over a free kick from distance, the 38-year-old struck it cleanly. The ball deflected off Fernández Mercau and wrong-footed Freese completely — a fortunate deflection, but Messi had put the ball in the right area. 2-2. This was his fourth MLS goal of the 2026 season and the latest chapter in a run of form that included his 900th career goal against Nashville SC just four days earlier.
Then Micael. The Brazilian defender advanced into the box on a Messi move and attacked a cross with a looping header that bounced into the net with 16 minutes remaining. The lead was back with Miami.
NYCFC pushed hard in the closing stages but St. Clair held firm. Inter Miami held on for a vital win.
The result breathes fresh life into their MLS season after the Champions Cup disappointment. It was also a significant moment for Mascherano's side given the manager was serving a touchline suspension — his assistant handling things from the technical area. The Herons showed the character of champions when it mattered.
