Lionel Messi scored a stunning late winner to give Inter Miami’s new coach a 3-2 victory over Colorado Rapids in front of a record MLS crowd
LIONEL Messi delivered a dramatic late winner to gift Inter Miami a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on new coach Guillermo Hoyos’s debut.
The Argentine superstar scored twice, including a spectacular solo effort with just over 10 minutes remaining, in front of 75,824 fans at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High.
The match was shifted to the NFL stadium to accommodate huge demand to see the World Cup-winning icon.
Messi first converted a penalty to give Miami the lead after a sluggish start.
He then sealed the win with a moment of individual brilliance, sprinting onto a through ball before threading a shot through three defenders.
The victory hands a winning start to Messi’s longtime friend Hoyos, who took over after Javier Mascherano’s departure earlier this week.
“We have the greatest player in history, someone who completely shifts the momentum of matches,” said a delighted Hoyos.
The 62-year-old coach made few changes to the reigning MLS champion’s lineup for the match.
German Berterame, starting in place of the injured Tadeo Allende, headed home Miami’s second goal just before halftime.
Colorado staged a spirited second-half fightback with two goals in four minutes through Rafael Navarro and substitute Darren Yapi.
Their comeback was ultimately quelled by Messi’s late heroics, which propelled Inter Miami up to second place in the Eastern Conference.
“This continues the work we’ve been doing and the progress the team has been making,” Hoyos said.
The game ended sourly as Miami’s Yannick Bright was sent off for using abusive language while protesting a yellow card.
