Lionel Messi delivered another standout performance as Inter Miami defeated the Seattle Sounders 3-1 on Tuesday in Major League Soccer, a rematch that reignited memories of the controversial Leagues Cup final clash.
The 38-year-old Argentine legend, widely celebrated for his career at Barcelona and his role in leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, played a decisive role in Miami’s triumph. He set up Jordi Alba’s opening goal in the 12th minute before finding the net himself in the 41st, giving Miami a two-goal cushion by halftime.
American defender Ian Fray added a third goal in the 52nd minute to extend Miami’s lead to 3-0, but Seattle’s Obed Vargas pulled one back for the visitors in the 69th minute. Messi credited his side’s composed approach, saying, “We understood it in the best way. We played the game we had to play.”
The stakes were heightened by their previous encounter on August 31, when the Sounders crushed Miami 3-0 in the Leagues Cup final, a match that descended into chaos with a benches-clearing altercation. Inter striker Luis Suarez was at the center of controversy after spitting on a Seattle staff member, an act that led to his suspension from the 2026 Leagues Cup and a three-game MLS ban. Having already served two matches of that ban, Suarez missed the rematch.
Miami head coach Javier Mascherano emphasized the importance of the victory, noting, “It was important, beyond having good feelings, to find ourselves with the victory against a great rival that took away the possibility of winning a competition a couple of weeks ago.”
The result was crucial for Inter Miami, who had slipped to eighth in the Eastern Conference after a 3-0 loss at Charlotte just days earlier. With this win, Miami improved to 14 victories, six losses, and seven draws, collecting 49 points. The team surged into fifth place, narrowing the gap to Eastern leaders Philadelphia to eight points, while still holding three games in hand. Mascherano added, “We have seven finals left and our goal is to win all seven to finish first in the conference. It makes the expectations with us high, invites us to be competitive, always have our guard up, and not relax.”
Meanwhile, the Sounders’ defeat left them with 12 wins, eight losses, and nine draws, sitting fourth in the Western Conference, narrowly ahead of Los Angeles FC by a single point.
What you should know
Lionel Messi once again proved his enduring brilliance, guiding Inter Miami to a much-needed win in a fiery rematch against the Seattle Sounders.
His goal and assist helped Miami recover from recent struggles, pushing them into playoff contention, while also delivering payback for their humiliating Leagues Cup final defeat weeks earlier.
