Messi goal not enough as Miami collapse in 4-3 loss to Orlando

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Messi goal not enough as Miami collapse in 4-3 loss to Orlando

Messi goal not enough as Miami collapse in 4-3 loss to Orlando

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami squandered a 3-0 lead to fall 4-3 to Orlando City on Saturday and remain in search of a first win at their new Nu Stadium.Messi's brilliant strike in the 33rd minute gave the hosts a 3-0 lead, the former Barcelona star curling a left-footed shot from just outside t

Messi goal not enough as Miami collapse in 4-3 loss to Orlando

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami squandered a 3-0 lead to fall 4-3 to Orlando City on Saturday and remain in search of a first win at their new Nu Stadium.Messi's brilliant strike in the 33rd minute gave the hosts a 3-0 lead, the former Barcelona star curling a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area past Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.

In a stunning collapse that will be talked about for weeks, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami threw away a commanding 3-0 lead to fall 4-3 to Orlando City on Saturday, still searching for their first win at the new Nu Stadium.

The stage was set for a celebration. Messi, playing in his 100th match for the South Florida side, delivered a moment of pure magic in the 33rd minute—curling a left-footed beauty from just outside the box past Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau to put Miami up 3-0. The former Barcelona star looked every bit the legend as he celebrated with the home fans.

Miami had started like a house on fire. Ian Fray opened the scoring in just the 4th minute, and Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia doubled the lead in the 25th. The Herons were flying, and with Messi adding his signature finish, the match seemed all but wrapped up.

But soccer has a way of humbling even the best. Orlando's Argentine forward Martín Ojeda began the fightback with a brilliant long-range strike in the 39th minute, cutting the deficit to 3-1 before halftime. The warning signs were there, but Miami couldn't adjust.

Ojeda struck again in the 68th minute with another effort from the edge of the box, and then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 79th minute. The 7-goal man in 11 matches this season had single-handedly dragged Orlando back into the game.

Just when it looked like Miami might salvage a point, Tyrese Spicer delivered the dagger in second-half injury time. Latching onto a long ball behind the center backs, he coolly finished between the legs of goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to complete the spectacular comeback.

For Miami, this loss raises serious questions about their ability to close out games—especially with a player of Messi's caliber on the pitch. The Herons remain winless at their new home, while Orlando will savor one of the most memorable comebacks in MLS history.

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