Inter Miami Edges D.C. United 3-2 in Thrilling Home Finish
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., September 20, 2025
A pulsating night at Chase Stadium saw Inter Miami squeeze out a 3-2 victory over D.C. United, thanks to a masterclass from Lionel Messi, who contributed a goal in each half plus a first-half assist. The win not only provides three important points for Miami but also sharpens their push toward the top of the Eastern Conference.
First Half: Miami Take Control, Allende Opens Scoring
From the opening whistle, Inter Miami asserted dominance in possession and tempo. The hosts, under coach Javier Mascherano, deployed a lineup with Messi flanked by creative midfielders like Rodrigo De Paul and Sergio Busquets, while Tadeo Allende featured in a more advanced role. D.C. United, coached by René Weiler, adopted a counterattacking posture, trying to frustrate Miami’s advances.
Despite Miami’s control, chances were at a premium early on. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute. Messi, ever the vision-maker, threaded a pinpoint pass to Tadeo Allende, who took one touch to control and beat Luis Barraza, slotting home to send the home crowd into raptures. 1-0 to Inter Miami.
The rest of the half saw Miami continue to dominate possession (around 60-63%), look for openings, and force United into defending deep. D.C. offered little going forward in terms of danger, and Miami went into the break with the advantage.
Second Half: Benteke Strikes & Messi’s Brilliance
Just past the hour mark, momentum shifted. In the 52nd minute, D.C. United drew level. Christian Benteke, strong in the box, headed home a cross from Brandon Servania, restoring parity. The goal injected belief in the visitors.
But it was short-lived. In the 66th minute, Messi regained the lead for Miami. Assisted by veteran Jordi Alba, Messi found space in a packed D.C. United defense and slotted the ball home. The visitors were reeling.
As tension mounted, D.C. United pushed forward in search of another equalizer. But in the 85th minute, Miami struck again. After a slip or defensive lapse, Sergio Busquets set Messi up — and the Argentine curled a shot from outside the box past Barraza, giving Miami breathing room. 3-1.
Even in stoppage time, D.C. United refused to give in. Substitute Jacob Murrell pulled one back in the 7th minute of added time, but it proved too little, too late. The final whistle blew: Inter Miami 3-2 D.C. United.
Key Players & Tactical Notes
- Lionel Messi: The star of the night. One assist, two goals — his 21st and 22nd of the MLS season — which now puts him at the top of the Golden Boot race. His influence stretched far beyond the score sheet: pulling defenders, creating spaces, starting attacks.
- Tadeo Allende: Played opportunistically, capitalized on Messi’s pass to open the scoring, and helped Miami settle.
- Christian Benteke: D.C. United’s shining light — got them back into the game with a strong header and posed a constant aerial threat.
- Luis Barraza (DC): Made several good saves, particularly under pressure from Miami in the second half, though some defensive lapses in front of him proved costly.
- Óscar Ustari (Miami): Solid between the sticks, was tested, had to make several saves, but held firm.
Tactically, Miami controlled the ball, dominated the midfield, and used width effectively, especially via Alba and De Paul. D.C. United tried to absorb pressure and hit on the counter; Benteke was central to that but lacked consistent support in attack.
Bigger Picture: Standings, Implications & What’s Next
- Standings boost: With this result, Inter Miami (now 15-7-6, 52 points) solidify their hold on a top playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are now fifth in the table but with matches in hand over some rivals.
- Messi’s Golden Boot charge: His 22 goals place him ahead of Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, who was leading the race prior to this match. Messi also recorded his 12th assist of the season, further underlining his all-round impact.
- D.C. United’s woes continue: Though this match showed spurts of fight, their defensive frailties and inability to withstand sustained pressure remain as big questions. With only five wins so far, their season is slipping out of reach in terms of playoff contention.
Miami will look to carry this momentum forward, particularly with several key fixtures ahead. D.C. United, meanwhile, must regroup, plug the gaps at the back, and find more consistency if they hope to salvage a disappointing campaign.
Moment of the Match
While there were many moments of interest, Messi’s second goal — the 85th-minute strike after Busquets’ assist — stands out. It not only gave Miami breathing space but extinguished any momentum D.C. United might have built in search of another equalizer. It was a beautiful curling effort, a moment of brilliance under pressure.
Final Thoughts
This was a classic matchup: Inter Miami, loaded with stars and expectations, edging out a resilient D.C. United. Messi continues to justify every bit of the build-up, not just through goals but through intelligence and leadership on the field. D.C. United showed heart, but ultimately lacked the depth and cohesion to suppress and answer Miami’s late surge.
For Miami, the takeaway is confidence — they proved they can win tight games. For United, the task is clear: improve defensively, be more clinical, and stop letting games slip away.