Messi Scores Late Winner as Inter Miami Beats Revolution 2-1, Jumps to Second in the East

Lionel Messi did it again in a game with real stakes. The Inter Miami captain set up the equalizer and then scored the winner in the 83rd minute as Miami came from behind to beat the New England Revolution 2-1 on Sunday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The result flipped the Eastern Conference table with one regular-season match left. Inter Miami (16-6-11, 59 points) moved into second place, one point ahead of New England (18-11-4, 58 points), according to AP and Field Level Media.

Final score: Revolution 1, Inter Miami 2

Goals - 53’ - Dániel Gazdag (New England), assisted by Ilay Feingold and Peyton Miller - 69’ - Germán Berterame (Inter Miami), assisted by Lionel Messi and Telasco Segovia - 83’ - Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), assisted by Telasco Segovia

How Inter Miami came back

The first half was tight and goalless. ESPN reported that New England had the better of it, with six shots, five corners and about 0.75 expected goals, while Berterame and Brooklyn Raines had the best looks for either side.

New England struck early in the second half. Per Field Level Media, the 18-year-old Miller beat Gonzalo Luján on the dribble down the right and slid a pass toward the penalty spot, Feingold added a backheeled touch, and Gazdag finished first time past Dayne St. Clair from about eight yards. AP noted it was Gazdag’s second goal in 11 appearances this season.

The goal woke Miami up. Messi forced a diving save from Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner in the 65th minute, and Raines cleared Berterame’s rebound off the line. Four minutes later Segovia lofted a ball into the box, Messi popped a header up into the air rather than at goal, and Berterame arrived to power it into the bottom corner.

The winner was pure Messi. He picked up a loose ball about 30 yards out, slalomed through several defenders and, after Segovia kept the move alive, finished low with his left foot, Field Level Media reported.

The late VAR scare

New England thought it had equalized in the 87th minute when the ball went in off Miami’s Ian Fray. After a video review, referee Sergii Boiko ruled Luca Langoni offside and the goal was wiped out, according to ESPN and Field Level Media.

Lionel Messi’s numbers

• The winner was Messi’s league-leading 26th goal of the season (AP, ESPN).
• His assist on Berterame’s goal was his first goal contribution in three matches.
• ESPN reported he is tied for second in MLS with 16 assists and leads the league by nine in goal contributions with 42.
• Segovia’s two assists gave him a career-high 12, and Berterame now has 10 goals and 10 assists in his first MLS season.

Inter Miami vs. New England Revolution standings impact

Second place in the East. Miami passed New England by a point.

Champions Cup berth. ESPN reported that the win clinched Miami a spot in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. A loss or draw would have left work to do on Decision Day, Nov. 7.

Road form. AP said it was Miami’s 10th road win of the season, three more than any other team. Miami is 10-4-3 away from home.

A rare collapse for New England. The defeat ended the Revolution’s four-match winning streak. Field Level Media noted it was the first time this season New England lost a match in which it was ahead or level in the 75th minute. The Revs are now 11-4-2 at home.

What’s next

Both teams have one regular-season match left on Decision Day. With a single point between them, second place in the East, and the playoff seeding that comes with it, is still up for grabs.

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