Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami weather an early storm with a brace to secure a 3-2 victory and three vital points over the Colorado Rapids on Matchday 8 of the MLS at Empower Field.
Despite the Colorado Rapids dominating the opening stages, Inter Miami took the lead in the 18th minute following a clinical penalty from Lionel Messi. While the Rapids pressed relentlessly for an equalizer, the visitors struck again just seconds before the halftime whistle, with German Berterame finding the back of the net with a header to double the advantage.
Coming out of the break, it seemed the Herons would comfortably control the match with their two-goal cushion. However, the Rapids fought back as Rafael Navarro finished off a brilliant team move to restore hope at Empower Field. The stadium erupted just two minutes later when substitute Darren Yapi scored the equalizer, leveling the score and shifting the momentum entirely in favor of the hosts.
With Inter Miami struggling to cope with the pressure, Messi surfaced once again. The captain produced a moment of individual magic to score a fantastic winner, securing a vital victory for his side. With these three points, the Herons now sit just one point behind Nashville, firmly establishing themselves among the top spots in the standings.
06:47PMThanks for joining us!
Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to a crucial win and you lived every moment with Bolavip!
06:45PMEnd of the game!
Inter Miami defeated Colorado Rapids 3-2!!
06:43PM90’+5- Modification in Inter Miami (2-3)
German Berterame was replaced by Ezequiel Abadia.
06:41PM90’+3- Yellow card in Colorado (2-3)
Jackson Travis received a yellow card.
06:40PM90’+2- Yellow card in Inter Miami (2-3)
Lionel Messi received a yellow card.
06:38PM90′- Stoppage time (2-3)
The referee added seven more minutes.
06:34PM86′- Red card in Inter Miami (2-3)
Yannick Bright received a red card and Inter Miami are with 10 men.
06:33PM85′- Yellow card in Inter Miami (2-3)
Telasco Segovia received a yellow card.
06:30PM82′- Modification in Colorado Rapids (2-3)
Paxten Aaronson was replaced by Dante Sealy.
06:27PM79′- GOOOOAAAL FOR INTER MIAMI!!! (2-3)
Lionel Messi strikes again to give Inter Miami the lead!
06:24PM76′- Messi tries from a free kick (2-2)
The Inter Miami captain tried his luck with a long-range free kick, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
06:22PM74′- Yellow card in Colorado Rapids (2-2)
Lucas Herrington received a yellow card.
06:17PM69′- Modifications in Inter Miami (2-2)
Mateo Silvetti and Gonzalo Lujan were replaced by Daniel Pinter and Tadeo Allende.
06:12PM64′- Yellow card in Colorado (2-2)
Wayne Frederick was booked in Colorado Rapids.
06:10PM62′- GOOOOAAAL FOR COLORADO RAPIDS!!! (2-2)
Darren Yapi scores the equalizer!!!
06:08PM60′- Modification in Colorado (1-2)
Hamzata Ojediran was replaced by Darren Yapi.
06:06PM58′- GOAAAAL FOR COLORADO RAPIDS!! (1-2)
Navarro pulls one back for Colorado!
06:02PM54′- Inter Miami with a good second half start (0-2)
Unlike the first half, Inter Miami are playing with much more freedom now that they hold a 2-0 lead. They need to capitalize on this momentum and find a third goal to put the game to bed.
05:58PM49′- Nice save from St. Clair! (0-2)
After dispossessing Rodrigo De Paul, Atencio let fly with a strike from outside the box, but it was comfortably gathered by St. Clair.
05:54PMThe second half is underway! (0-2)
Colorado Rapids and Inter Miami are already playing the second half!
05:40PMFirst half summary
Despite a difficult start for Inter Miami, it initially seemed the Colorado Rapids would be the ones to break the deadlock given the high intensity they brought to the opening minutes.
However, the opening goal arrived in the 18th minute via a Lionel Messi penalty, putting his side ahead against the run of play. Following the goal, the hosts pushed hard for an equalizer and came close on several occasions, but German Berterame surfaced in the final seconds of the first half to net a second goal, sending the Herons into the locker room with a 2-0 lead at the break.
05:35PMHalftime!
The game goes to halftime.
05:34PM45’+4- GOOOAAAAL FOR INTER MIAMI!!! (0-2)
German Berterame extends the lead!!!
05:30PM45′- Stoppage time (0-1)
The referee added four more minutes to the first half.
05:28PM43′- Inter Miami struggling with posession (0-1)
Following the goal, Inter Miami have been unable to regain control of the game, repeatedly turning the ball over. The Colorado Rapids are maintaining relentless pressure, and an equalizer feels imminent.
05:23PM38′- Great save by St. Clair! (0-1)
Aaronson found space inside the box and unleashed a strike that St. Clair managed to save!
05:18PM33′- Colorado looking for the equalizer (0-1)
The hosts are piling on the pressure in search of an equalizer, while Inter Miami are struggling to hold onto the ball, repeatedly giving away possession.
05:13PM28′- Yellow card in Inter Miami (0-1)
Micael received a yellow card.
05:08PM23′- Aaronson almost scores! (0-1)
After a brilliant run, Aaronson burst into the Inter Miami box and unleashed a low driven shot that whistled just wide of the post!
05:03PM18′- GOOOOAAAAAL FOR INTER MIAMI (0-1)
Lionel Messi scores the opener of the game from the penalty spot!
05:01PM16′- Penalty for Inter Miami! (0-0)
After a VAR revision, the referee awarded a penalty for Inter Miami and a yellow card for Atencio!
04:59PM14′- Bright calls for a penalty (0-0)
Yannick Bright goes down inside Colorado’s box and the referee goes to the VAR for a penalty review.
04:55PM10′- Nice try from Frederick (0-0)
Frederick attempted a volley following a free kick, but his strike drifted wide of St. Clair’s post.
04:51PM6′- Colorado in control of the ball (0-0)
In the opening minutes of the match, the hosts are dominating possession. Inter Miami are struggling to wrestle the ball away from the Rapids, who remain in complete control so far.
04:46PM1′- First corner kick for Colorado (0-0)
A mistake on a pass attempt by Maxi Falcon resulted in the first corner for the Colorado Rapids. However, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, and the danger has cleared.
04:45PMGAME ON!
The game between Colorado Rapids and Inter Miami is underway!
04:38PMPlayers are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the field. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
04:20PMWhat is the attendance at Empower Field tonight?
More than 70,000 fans are expected to attend the match between the Colorado Rapids and Inter Miami at Empower Field at Mile High, putting the game on track to approach a club attendance record.
04:00PMInter Miami lineup confirmed!
Miami’s starting XI: St. Clair; Lujan, Falcon, Silva, Mura; De Paul, Bright; Silvetti, Messi, Segovia; Berterame.
03:50PMToday’s referees
Jon Freeman has been appointed to officiate the clash between Colorado Rapids and Inter Miami. He will be joined on the field by Logan Brown and Ryan Graves, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
Referee: Jon Freeman (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Logan Brown (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Ryan Graves (USA)
Fourth official: Jair Marrufo (USA)
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic (USA)
03:30PMColorado Rapids lineup confirmed!
Colorado’s starting XI: Steffen; Travis, Holding, Herrington, Thompson; Aaronson, Ojediran, Atencio, Frederick; Navarro, Minoungou.
02:30PMColorado Rapids and Inter Miami clash at MLS Matchday 8
Welcome to our live blog of the MLS! Colorado Rapids host Inter Miami at the Empower Field, with both teams looking for a win that help them to climb into the top spots.
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
