Inter Miami CF delivered a commanding performance on Saturday night, October 10, 2026, defeating D.C. United 4-0 at Nu Stadium. Lionel Messi scored two goals, bringing his league-leading total to 23 for the season.
Why it matters: This victory is a turning point for Inter Miami, snapping a five-match winless streak and marking the first league win for new coach Cristian “Kily” González.
Miami had previously recorded four draws and one loss before this match, making the win a morale booster.
D.C. United remains winless in their last five matches, struggling to find form as they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The win solidifies Miami's position in the playoff race, with the team sitting third in the Eastern Conference standings.
Driving the news: Messi's standout performance came just four days after he played his farewell match for Argentina, where he ended a 21-year tenure with the national team. He played the full 90 minutes against D.C. United.
Messi opened the scoring in the 47th minute after Luis Suárez had already netted two goals in the first half.
Suárez set up Messi's first goal with a centered pass near the 6-yard box, allowing Messi to tap in a shot inside the right post.
Messi's second goal came in the 60th minute, where he dribbled past two defenders before shooting from 12 yards out.
State of play: Inter Miami entered the match needing a win to regain momentum after a series of disappointing results, including a recent 2-1 loss to Columbus Crew.
Before the match, Miami had a record of 12 wins, 10 draws, and 5 losses, totaling 46 points from 27 matches.
D.C. United had only 30 points from 26 matches, with a record of 6 wins, 12 draws, and 8 losses, sitting in 12th place.
Both teams fielded nearly full-strength squads, with no major absences reported.
The big picture: The match demonstrated Inter Miami's attacking prowess, with Messi and Suárez combining for five goals in their last two outings.
Messi's two goals and Suárez's brace highlight their importance in Miami's offensive strategy, especially as they look to secure playoff positioning.
Rodrigo De Paul also played a key role, creating multiple chances from midfield, contributing to Miami's fluid attacking play.
What they're saying: After the match, coach Cristian “Kily” González expressed relief and optimism about the team's future.
“This win is exactly what we needed to build confidence moving forward,” González said.
Messi's performance was praised by fans and analysts alike, recognizing his ability to influence the game even after international commitments.
By the numbers: The match statistics reveal Miami's dominance over D.C. United.
Inter Miami recorded 64% possession, effectively controlling the pace and flow of the game.
Miami had 18 shots on goal compared to D.C. United's 5, indicating their attacking efficiency.
Messi's two goals contributed to his tally of 23 for the season, leading the league.
What's next: Inter Miami will host New York City FC on Wednesday night, looking to continue their winning momentum.
D.C. United will face the New York Red Bulls on the same night, needing to secure points to stay in playoff contention.
Fans can expect another exciting match as both teams vie for important points in the MLS standings.