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Orlando City Mounts Improbable Comeback, Stuns Messi and Inter Miami 4-3

Orlando City achieved a stunning 4-3 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday, overcoming a three-goal deficit. Lionel Messi's team is still seeking its first win at its new stadium.

·May 3, 2026·via ESPN
Orlando City Mounts Improbable Comeback, Stuns Messi and Inter Miami 4-3

Tyrese Spicer stuns Inter Miami with stoppage-time winner (0:44)

Orlando City improbably rallied from three goals down to beat Inter Miami 4-3 on Saturday as Lionel Messi 's side remained winless at its new stadium.

Messi had a goal and an assist as Miami raced into a 3-0 lead inside 33 minutes that appeared certain to give Miami a first victory at Nu Stadium at the fourth time of asking.

But Orlando dramatically flipped the script, with Messi's fellow Argentine Martín Ojeda scoring a hat trick before Tyrese Spicer struck a winner in stoppage time to stun the home crowd.

It was just the third time in MLS history that a team had come from 3-0 down to win, after the Seattle Sounders against D.C. United in 2017 and the LA Galaxy against LAFC the following year.

Miami had been held to a draw in its previous three home games since the opening of its long-awaited new home on April 4. Only twice in MLS history has a team endured a longer winless run to start life at a new stadium.

Messi curls home beauty for Inter Miami

Saturday's loss also snapped the reigning MLS Cup winners' 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions, since a loss in the opening game of the 2026 season.

Messi's goal was his 86th in a Miami jersey in what was his 100th appearance. It also snapped a rare two-game scoreless streak for the Argentina forward.

Messi also assisted Telasco Segovia 's goal for Miami after Ian Fray had put the home side in front after only four minutes.

Orlando City had won only two of its last 15 MLS matches -- including playoffs -- dating to last season. Orlando also was 0-4-1 on the road in MLS play this season.

None of that mattered. Ojeda scored in the 39th minute to send Orlando into the half down 3-1. He scored again in the 68th minute to make matters interesting.

Too interesting from the Inter Miami perspective.

Ojeda had a great chance to tie it in the 73rd minute, alone on the right side of the box. But Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair came well off his line and made a point-blank save to keep the score 3-2.

Ojeda wouldn't be denied, connecting on a penalty kick in the 78th minute to tie things up at 3-3. He had another chance in the 80th minute, with St. Clair stopping that one with his face to keep the match tied.

Spicer eventually got the go-ahead goal for the visitors, Messi and the Herons kept arguing over what they felt were missed calls, and time ran out.

Inter Miami has four matches left before MLS' seven-week stoppage for the FIFA World Cup begins. None of those looming opponents -- Toronto , Cincinnati , Portland and Philadelphia -- was over the .500 mark entering Saturday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48661010/lionel-messi-inter-miami-orlando-city-mls-new-stadium)._

Source Attribution

This story is summarized from coverage by ESPN.

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