Lionel Messi scores stunning double as Inter Miami beat Colorado Rapids
Lionel Messi scored a stunning late winner to secure a 3-2 victory for Inter Miami against the Colorado Rapids in interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos’ first match in charge on Saturday.
The World Cup winner converted a 13th-minute penalty before producing a sensational 79th-minute strike to seal all three points in front of 75,824 spectators at Empower Field at Mile High.
Germán Berterame was also on target for the visitors, heading home in first-half stoppage time following an arcing cross from Mateo Silvetti.
The result extends Miami’s unbeaten run to seven matches and provides a positive start to a new era following the abrupt departure of Javier Mascherano.
Hoyos reunites with former academy prospect
Mascherano stepped down as head coach on Tuesday, just four months after guiding the Florida franchise to their maiden MLS Cup title.
Sporting director Guillermo Hoyos has stepped into the breach, rekindling a relationship with Miami’s star forward that began at Barcelona’s La Masia academy over two decades ago.
The interim boss expressed his delight at managing the legendary attacker, describing the opportunity as a deeply emotional experience.
“It has been a beautiful experience because there are players of immense quality here including the greatest player in history.”
Rapids fightback falls short
Colorado staged a spirited second-half comeback after trailing by two goals at the interval.
Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro halved the deficit in the 58th minute, maintaining his excellent recent form to record his sixth goal of the campaign.
Substitute Darren Yapi completed the brief turnaround shortly after, capitalising on a rapid counter-attack to equalise in the 62nd minute.
However, the Argentina captain ultimately dictated the outcome, splitting a pair of defenders to curl a rising shot inside the back post for his seventh goal of the season.
This decisive late strike moves the prolific forward level with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa at the top of the Major League Soccer scoring charts.
Miami were forced to navigate the final moments with ten men after Yannick Bright received a straight red card in the 87th minute, but the visitors held firm to claim victory.
