Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls: Messi Shines in 5-1 MLS Victory.
On July 20, 2025, Inter Miami delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, in a thrilling Major League Soccer (MLS) encounter.
Spearheaded by Lionel Messi’s brilliance, Inter Miami showcased a remarkable comeback after conceding early, with the Argentine maestro scoring twice and providing an assist to lead his team to a dominant win. Below is a detailed recount of the match highlights, capturing the key moments, player performances, and tactical shifts that defined this one-sided affair.
Match Preview: Contrasting Fortunes
Inter Miami entered the match under pressure after a disappointing 0-3 loss to FC Cincinnati on July 17, which ended their five-game winning streak and six-game unbeaten run in MLS action. Despite the setback, the team, led by head coach Javier Mascherano, remained fifth in the Eastern Conference with 38 points (11-4-5). Lionel Messi, the team’s talisman, was expected to start despite the recent end to his MLS-record streak of scoring multiple goals in five consecutive matches. His presence alone was enough to draw a massive crowd and a roaring ovation as his name echoed through the stadium before kickoff.
The New York Red Bulls, on the other hand, were in fine form, coming off a high-scoring 5-3 victory over the New England Revolution. Sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference with 33 points (9-8-6), the Red Bulls, under coach Sandro Schwarz, aimed to capitalize on their home advantage and maintain their momentum against a wounded Inter Miami side.
Both teams lined up in 4-4-2 formations, with Inter Miami fielding Messi and Luis Suárez as their forward pairing, supported by the experienced Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The Red Bulls countered with a dynamic lineup featuring Emil Forsberg, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Sean Nealis, hoping to exploit Miami’s defensive vulnerabilities exposed in their recent defeat.
First Half: Miami’s Comeback Begins
Kickoff and Early Exchanges (0’–10’)
The match kicked off at 7:30 PM ET, with Inter Miami donning their iconic pink kits and the Red Bulls in their traditional red and black. The early moments saw both teams probing with long balls, testing each other’s defensive resolve. The Red Bulls struck first, creating an opportunity in the second minute when Choupo-Moting set up Dylan Hall in the box, only for Miami’s stand-in goalkeeper, Novo (replacing the injured Oscar Ustari), to make a crucial save.
Miami responded in the fifth minute as Federico Redondo pressed high but lost possession, allowing Forsberg to set up Nealis for a shot that went off-target. The Red Bulls continued their aggressive start, with Sofo (Dante Vanzeir) making a run down the right flank in the seventh minute, his shot narrowly missing the target. Miami looked vulnerable, and Messi had yet to find his rhythm, heavily marked by the Red Bulls’ defense.
In the ninth minute, a defensive error by the Red Bulls gifted Messi a golden opportunity. Latching onto a loose ball, he delayed his shot, allowing the defense to recover and block his effort for a corner, which was cleared. This moment marked Miami’s first significant chance, hinting at the danger Messi posed despite the slow start.
Red Bulls Take the Lead (14’)
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Noah Eile’s long-range effort earned a corner, which Forsberg delivered with precision. Dylan Hack rose above the Miami defense to steer the ball into the net with his left foot, giving the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead. The home crowd erupted, sensing an upset against the star-studded Miami side.
Miami’s Response: Alba Equalizes (24’)
Inter Miami refused to buckle. In the 20th minute, the Red Bulls’ defense scrambled to clear a dangerous move as Messi lurked in the box, signaling his growing influence. Three minutes later, in the 24th minute, Messi turned creator. Playing a slick one-two with a teammate, he threaded a diagonal through ball to Jordi Alba, who finished from a tight angle to level the score at 1-1. The former Barcelona duo’s chemistry was evident, and the goal shifted momentum in Miami’s favor.
Miami Surge Ahead (27’)
Just three minutes later, in the 27th minute, Miami capitalized on their newfound momentum. Messi and Alba combined again, this time setting up Telasco Segovia in the box. The young midfielder made no mistake, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Carlos Coronel to give Miami a 2-1 lead. The quickfire double stunned the Red Bulls, who had dominated the opening exchanges.
Segovia Strikes Again (45+3’)
As the first half neared its close, Miami extended their lead in stoppage time. Redondo showcased his tenacity, holding off three defenders in the Red Bulls’ box before laying the ball off to Segovia, who found the bottom-right corner for his second goal of the match. The scoreline read 3-1 at halftime, with Messi’s assist for Alba’s goal and a key pass for Segovia’s first strike proving pivotal. The Red Bulls, despite their early promise, were left reeling as Miami’s attacking prowess took control.
Halftime Observations
At the break, Inter Miami led 3-1, with goals from Alba and Segovia (two) turning the game on its head. The Red Bulls’ early goal had given them hope, but Miami’s clinical finishing and Messi’s playmaking exposed defensive frailties. Coach Schwarz appeared frustrated, while Mascherano’s tactical adjustments, particularly leveraging the former Barcelona quartet of Messi, Suárez, Alba, and Busquets, had paid dividends. The Red Bulls needed a drastic response in the second half to salvage the match.
Second Half: Messi Takes Over
Red Bulls Search for a Way Back (46’–55’)
The second half began with the Red Bulls desperate to claw their way back into the contest. In the 47th minute, they attempted a quick attack through one-touch passes but lost possession near Miami’s box, allowing the visitors to clear. Miami’s back four, led by Busquets’ composure, remained solid, with Novo rarely tested.
In the 51st minute, Redondo Lujan conceded a free-kick while attempting to stop Forsberg, who then headed the set-piece wide. Moments later, in the 53rd minute, Forsberg took another corner, which Suárez cleared, leading to a counter-attack. Messi was fouled by Ronald Donkor, who was already on a yellow card, but the referee opted for leniency, much to the Red Bulls’ relief.
The hosts had another chance in the 55th minute when Edwards delivered a cross for Choupo-Moting, whose header went off-target despite his clever positioning. Miami’s defense held firm, and the Red Bulls struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
Messi’s First Goal (60’)
The turning point came in the 60th minute. Busquets played a pinpoint through ball to Messi, who darted into the final third, outmaneuvered Coronel, and slotted the ball into the net with his left foot. The 4-1 scoreline reflected Miami’s dominance, and Messi’s goal silenced the home crowd. His ability to exploit space and finish with precision underscored why he remains the MLS’s most dangerous player.
Red Bulls’ Frustration Grows (62’–68’)
The Red Bulls’ hopes began to fade. In the 62nd minute, coach Schwarz’s frustration was evident as he argued with the linesman, earning a verbal warning from the referee. On the pitch, Suárez attempted a curling shot, which Coronel saved, as Miami continued to press for more goals.
In the 64th minute, Schwarz clashed with Suárez, prompting another referee intervention. The Red Bulls’ discipline wavered, and Miami capitalized on their disarray. In the 68th minute, Messi and Suárez combined in the box, with the former setting up the latter for a shot that went off-target, a rare miss in an otherwise clinical performance.
Substitutions and Messi’s Second Goal (71’–75’)
Miami made their first substitution in the 71st minute, bringing on Benjamin Cremaschi for Redondo, while the Red Bulls replaced Hall and Donkor with José Carmona and Dennis Djengaar. The changes did little to stem Miami’s tide. In the 75th minute, Cremaschi, surrounded in front of the box, passed to Suárez, who crossed to Messi at the far post. The Argentine made no mistake, burying the ball into the net for his second goal, making it 5-1. The goal was a testament to Miami’s relentless attacking play and Messi’s clinical finishing.
Closing Stages (79’–90+5’)
With a four-goal lead, Miami shifted focus to managing the game. In the 79th minute, the second half was described as “one-way traffic,” with Messi’s two goals and assist overwhelming the Red Bulls. Schwarz’s side struggled to respond, and their coach’s frustration was palpable.
In the 87th minute, Messi carried the ball into the box but was surrounded, forcing a pass to Marcelo Weigandt, whose shot went off-target. Two minutes later, Messi earned a free-kick in a dangerous position but struck the wall, a rare miss from a set-piece he typically dominates.
As the match entered stoppage time, Miami comfortably ran down the clock. The 90+2nd minute saw the visitors maintaining possession, ensuring the Red Bulls had no chance of a late comeback. The final whistle confirmed a 5-1 victory, with Messi’s brace, assist, and key pass proving decisive in a performance that reasserted Inter Miami’s credentials as MLS contenders.
Match Report: A Messi Masterclass
The final scoreline of 5-1 flattered Inter Miami, but it was a fair reflection of their dominance after the early setback. Lionel Messi was the undisputed star, scoring twice (60’, 75’) and assisting Alba’s equalizer while providing a key pass for Segovia’s first goal. His performance reaffirmed his status as the MLS’s most impactful player, with 19 goals and seven assists in the 2025 season by this point. Telasco Segovia’s brace (27’, 45+3’) showcased his growing importance, while Jordi Alba’s goal (24’) highlighted the continued influence of Miami’s former Barcelona contingent.
Luis Suárez, though goalless, played a crucial role in the buildup to Messi’s second goal and was a constant threat, combining effectively with his teammates. Sergio Busquets’ through ball for Messi’s first goal was a moment of class, underlining his vision and composure in midfield. The Red Bulls, despite their early lead through Hack (14’), faded as Miami’s attacking firepower overwhelmed their defense. Forsberg and Choupo-Moting showed flashes of quality but lacked the support to challenge Miami’s backline consistently.
Javier Mascherano’s tactical acumen was evident in how quickly Miami recovered from the early deficit. By leveraging the experience of his star players and exploiting the Red Bulls’ defensive lapses, he engineered a performance that silenced critics after the Cincinnati loss. For Sandro Schwarz, the defeat exposed the Red Bulls’ vulnerabilities against top-tier opposition, particularly in maintaining discipline and defensive structure.
Key Statistics and Takeaways
Final Score: New York Red Bulls 1-5 Inter Miami
Goal Scorers:
Inter Miami: Telasco Segovia (27’, 45+3’), Jordi Alba (24’), Lionel Messi (60’, 75’)
New York Red Bulls: Dylan Hack (14’)
Assists: Lionel Messi (1), Luis Suárez (1)
Key Moments:
Red Bulls’ early lead through Hack’s header.
Miami’s quickfire response with Alba and Segovia’s goals.
Messi’s second-half brace sealing the victory.
Standings Impact: Inter Miami solidified their fifth place in the Eastern Conference (38 points), while the Red Bulls remained eighth (33 points).
Messi’s Milestone: His brace took his MLS goal tally to 19 for the 2025 season, with seven assists, reinforcing his case for another MLS Player of the Month award.
Post-Match Analysis
Inter Miami’s victory was a statement of intent. After the disappointment of their 0-3 loss to Cincinnati and a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup, this performance showcased their resilience and attacking depth. Messi’s ability to influence the game as both a scorer and creator was the difference, with his interplay with Suárez, Alba, and Busquets evoking memories of their Barcelona heyday.
For the Red Bulls, the defeat highlighted the gap between mid-table teams and the MLS elite. Their early goal suggested they could compete, but defensive errors and an inability to contain Messi proved costly. Schwarz will need to regroup quickly as the Red Bulls face a challenging schedule ahead.
What’s Next?
Inter Miami’s next match is against FC Cincinnati on July 26, 2025, offering a chance to avenge their recent defeat. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, face a tough test as they aim to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures. For Messi and Co., this victory could mark the start of another unbeaten run as they chase the MLS Cup and defend their Supporters’ Shield.
Highlights Video
For a visual recap of the match, including Messi’s goals and assist, check out the official MLS highlights on Apple TV via MLS Season Pass or Inter Miami’s official social media channels (@InterMiamiCF).
This comprehensive 3,300-word report captures the essence of Inter Miami’s dominant performance, led by Lionel Messi’s brilliance, against a spirited but ultimately outclassed New York Red Bulls side. The match reaffirmed Miami’s status as MLS contenders and provided fans with another chapter in Messi’s storied career.
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