Lionel Messi, Inter Miami suffer 3-0 loss to LAFC in 2026 MLS opener: Highlights and goals

LAFC defeated Inter Miami 3-0 in the 2026 MLS season opener, and you lived every moment of this thrilling match here, on Bolavip.

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The referee blows the final whistle in Los Angeles as LAFC secure a 3-0 victory over Inter Miami in the 2026 MLS season opener.

David Martinez, Denis Bouanga, and Nathan Ordaz scored for LAFC, while Lionel Messi and Miami were unable to break down a disciplined and clinical home side.

Denis Bouanga delivers a sensational assist to extend LAFC’s lead. After a brilliant dribble past the defense, Bouanga finds Nathan Ordaz making a late run into the box. Ordaz finishes confidently to make it 3-0, capping a clinical counterattack and putting LAFC firmly in control as the match nears its conclusion.

The fourth official indicates six minutes of stoppage time at the end of the match. LAFC continue to hold their 2-0 lead as Inter Miami push forward in search of a late goal.

Heung-Min Son comes off for LAFC, and Nathan Ordaz enters the match.

LAFC come extremely close to putting the match out of reach. A poor defensive sequence allows LAFC to break through once again, but the final touch inside the box lacks precision. The ball ricochets off Maximiliano Falcón’s head in front of goal, and Dayne St. Clair reacts quickly to secure it.

LAFC turn to their bench once more as Timothy Tillman comes off and Tyler Boyd enters the match.

Telasco Segovia and Denis Bouanga are both booked following a physical confrontation off the ball. The referee steps in quickly to calm tensions as the match grows more intense in the closing stages.

Moments later, Inter Miami make another attacking change. Mateo Silvetti comes off, and Luis Suarez enters, adding experience and firepower as Miami push forward.

Inter Miami create a promising opportunity to pull one back. Germán Berterame wins the ball in midfield, and the play quickly shifts to Lionel Messi, who threads a smart pass into space for Tadeo Allende. Allende gets his shot off inside the box, but it is too central and lacks placement, making it an easy save for Hugo Lloris.

LAFC strike again on the counterattack. After regaining possession, Denis Bouanga bursts forward with pace and determination, outrunning the defense as Inter Miami are caught exposed. Bouanga lifts a delicate chip over Dayne St. Clair and finishes with remarkable composure.

LAFC make a change as David Martinez comes off and Mathieu Choinière enters, adding fresh legs in midfield as they look to manage the tempo.

Inter Miami also adjust, with Yannick Bright leaving the field and Tadeo Allende coming on to boost the attack as Miami continue pushing for the equalizer.

LAFC survive the best attacking move of the night from Inter Miami. A sharp collective sequence flows through midfield and spreads to the right flank, where Facundo Mura delivers a precise cross into the box. Germán Berterame rises with authority and powers a header toward goal, but the effort drifts just wide of the post.

A dangerous and chaotic stretch unfolds near LAFC’s area. Ryan Porteous comes in hard on Telasco Segovia, and Lionel Messi is left on the ground after the collision, but play continues.

The ball falls to Rodrigo De Paul, who chips a delicate pass into the box for Germán Berterame. Berterame lifts his foot high to try to control it and nearly catches Porteous in the head, prompting immediate reactions from both sides.

LAFC appear slightly unfocused to start the second half, and the physical toll of chasing the ball is beginning to show. Inter Miami are dictating possession and applying steady pressure in search of an equalizer.

For now, LAFC remain compact and fully dropped into their own half, waiting for the right moment to counterattack, trusting the pace and chemistry of Heung-Min Son and Denis Bouanga to strike in transition.

LAFC drop their lines to protect the lead, inviting Inter Miami to push forward in search of an equalizer. Miami try to take advantage of the extra space in the attacking third. Mateo Silvetti receives the ball outside the box and strikes a firm shot that takes a slight deflection on its way through, but Hugo Lloris reacts calmly and gathers it without trouble.

Inter Miami make an adjustment at the break. Ian Fray comes off, and Facundo Mura enters to start the second half.

The ball is rolling again in Los Angeles as the second half begins. Inter Miami look to respond after trailing at the break, while LAFC aim to protect their lead and stay aggressive in transition.

The referee blows the whistle for halftime in Los Angeles with LAFC leading 1-0. David Martinez’s composed finish separates the sides after a first half in which LAFC created the clearer chances.

LAFC come close to scoring a second, and it almost mirrors the opening goal. Inter Miami’s back line is caught out of position, allowing Denis Bouanga to slip a precise through ball into space for David Martinez. Martinez shapes his body just like he did on the first goal, but this time his finish drifts inches wide of the post.

The referee shows the first booking of the night as Maximiliano Falcon commits a hard foul on Timothy Tillman in midfield. The challenge stops a promising LAFC transition and leaves no doubt for the official. Falcon sees yellow.

The fourth official signals seven minutes of stoppage time before halftime. LAFC continue to lead 1-0 as Inter Miami look for a late response before the break.

The match is briefly halted after Stephen Eustaquio goes down following a heavy knock in midfield. Medical staff enter the field to evaluate him, forcing LAFC to play temporarily with ten men. After receiving treatment on the sideline, Eustaquio returns to the pitch, and play resumes with LAFC still holding the advantage.

A costly mistake from Rodrigo De Paul in midfield turns into the breakthrough for LAFC. Under intense pressure, De Paul loses possession, and Timothy Tillman quickly recovers the ball to ignite the attack. The play flows to Heung-Min Son, who delivers a perfectly timed assist into the box for David Martinez. Martinez keeps his composure and finishes calmly past Dayne St. Clair to give LAFC the lead.

David Martinez capitalizes on a poor clearance from Ian Fray, quickly regaining possession in a dangerous area for LAFC. The Venezuelan attacker wastes no time and fires a low shot toward goal. However, the effort lacks power and placement, rolling straight into the hands of Dayne St. Clair.

The intensity drops compared to the frantic opening minutes, as both sides ease off the high press. The match shifts into a tighter midfield contest with constant back-and-forth possession. Despite the transitions, neither LAFC nor Inter Miami manage to create clear-cut chances, and the goalkeepers remain largely untested during this stretch.

LAFC continue to find space in the final third with the Son–Bouanga partnership causing constant problems. Son initiates the move and combines quickly with Bouanga at the edge of the box. Bouanga attempts a return pass, but after a deflection, the ball falls back to him, and he unleashes a powerful strike that sails wide of the left post.

After weathering heavy pressure from LAFC in the opening stretch, Inter Miami finally generate a dangerous move going forward. Lionel Messi delivers a brilliant through ball that splits the defense and finds Germán Berterame making a run into the box. Berterame is quickly pressured and knocked slightly off balance by the recovering defender, forcing him into a weak shot that is comfortably handled.

Inter Miami are struggling to contain LAFC’s attacking rhythm. A sharp passing sequence between Timothy Tillman and David Martinez slices through the midfield, allowing Tillman to break into the box with space in front of goal. Tillman pulls the trigger from close range, but Maximiliano Falcón steps in with a crucial block, denying what looked like a certain opener.

The free kick goes to waste for LAFC. Heung-Min Son takes the initial strike, but it slams into the wall and deflects away from danger. A second effort follows moments later and is deflected out for a corner, yet LAFC cannot make it count from the ensuing set piece. Inter Miami survive another scare.

LAFC earn a promising set-piece opportunity just outside the penalty area after Noah Allen brings down David Martinez in a dangerous position. The foul gives LAFC a clear shooting angle, with Bouanga and Son standing over the ball.

Inter Miami can breathe again as LAFC continue to threaten. The Bouanga–Son connection causes problems once more, stretching Miami’s back line with quick movement and sharp interplay.

This time, Denis Bouanga uses his footwork inside the box to shake off his defender and create space, but his final shot drifts wide of the post.

LAFC come inches away from opening the scoring. Denis Bouanga delivers a perfectly weighted through ball to Heung-Min Son, who rounds Dayne St. Clair but runs out of shooting angle near the end line.

Son cuts it back into the middle for Bouanga, whose close-range effort is denied by a sharp save from St. Clair.

Inter Miami look sharp in the opening minutes, showing urgency and attacking intent from the first whistle. Rodrigo De Paul tries to thread a pass into Lionel Messi inside the box, but the ball runs slightly long and LAFC manage to recover.

Moments later, after a scramble and a series of rebounds outside the area, the ball falls to De Paul, who unleashes a powerful strike from distance, only to see it blocked by the LAFC defense. Miami are pressing early.

The match kicks off in Los Angeles as LAFC and Inter Miami begin their 2026 MLS campaign.

LAFC and Inter Miami are out on the pitch as the pregame ceremony gets underway in Los Angeles. The players line up for the MLS anthem and final handshakes before kickoff, with the crowd building anticipation for this highly anticipated season opener.

Here’s a look at the most recent meetings between LAFC and Inter Miami across all competitions:

April 9, 2025: Inter Miami 3-1 LAFC (CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals – Second Leg)
April 2, 2025: LAFC 1-0 Inter Miami (CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals – First Leg)
September 3, 2023: LAFC 1-3 Inter Miami (MLS)
March 12, 2022: Inter Miami 0-2 LAFC (MLS)
March 1, 2020: LAFC 1-0 Inter Miami (MLS)

Inter Miami will line up as follows: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcón, Micael, Noah Allen; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright; Mateo Silvetti, Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia; Germán Berterame.

LAFC will take the field with the following formation: Hugo Lloris; Sergi Palencia, Eddie Segura, Nkosi Tafari, Aaron Long; Stephen Eustaquio, Timothy Tillman, Mark Delgado; David Martinez, Denis Bouanga, Heung-Min Son.

For the MLS season opener between LAFC and Inter Miami, the referee will be Pierre Lauziere.

Lionel Messi will be available for tonight’s MLS season opener against LAFC. According to Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, Messi is fully fit and ready to go for the highly anticipated clash in Los Angeles.

“Messi is fine; he’s been training at the same level as the rest of the team all week,” Mascherano said Friday, according to ESPN. “He’s been doing well and has had very positive feelings. So, he’s going away well prepared, just like the rest of the team.”

That strongly indicates Messi will not only be part of the squad but is expected to start, marking his 2026 MLS debut against a challenging Western Conference opponent.

Welcome to our live blog of tonight’s MLS showdown!

LAFC face Inter Miami in Los Angeles as Lionel Messi begins his league title defense with Miami after lifting the MLS Cup last season. Both clubs enter the new campaign as strong contenders, setting the stage for a must-watch opener.

Stay with us for key information, confirmed lineups, fun facts, and minute-by-minute updates as LAFC and Inter Miami battle it out to start the 2026 MLS season.