Messi's Brilliance Turns the Tide for Inter Miami
If you were ready to count Inter Miami out with fifteen minutes left on the clock, you weren’t alone. At Subaru Park on May 24, 2025, Philadelphia Union looked set to continue their hot streak. The home side burst out of the gates, with Quinn Sullivan curling a beautiful shot past the keeper just seven minutes in. That early lead set the tone, and as fans settled in for what looked like a routine win, Tai Baribo doubled down on Philly’s dominance.
Baribo slammed home his first before halftime, taking advantage of some shaky Miami defending. He wasn’t finished—his second goal, coming halfway through the second half, seemed to put the result beyond doubt. By the 75th minute, Philadelphia was cruising with a 3-1 cushion, and the Supporters’ Shield leaders looked every inch the league’s form team.
Messi and Segovia Lead a Stunning Turnaround
But you can never really relax with Lionel Messi on the field. In the 87th minute, Miami earned a free kick just outside the box. You could almost sense what would happen next. Messi, with those few strides back and that familiar calm, struck the ball with his left foot. The ball curled over the wall and nestled into the top corner—vintage Messi. Suddenly, there was a hint of chaos in the air and Philly’s defense looked less sure of themselves.
The drama didn’t stop there. With five minutes added, Miami pushed everyone forward. Messi picked up the ball around the edge of the area and slipped a sharp pass to Telasco Segovia. Segovia barely hesitated—he curled a shot straight into the top corner in the 95th minute. Miami’s bench erupted. In just a few minutes, what looked like a disappointing road loss for Miami turned into a statement result—and heartbreak for Philly fans who thought three points were already in the bag.
The Messi effect felt real as ever. Not only did his sublime free kick light the spark, but his quick thinking set up the equalizer. For Segovia, it was a blinding moment of composure in the dying embers, proof that Miami’s faith in their supporting cast is paying off even if they’re still not picking up many wins.
Philly’s streak of three straight victories might have ended, but they’re still unbeaten in nine games and remain top of the table with 30 points. Miami’s struggles continue—they’re now winless in seven of their last eight matches and sit in sixth with 23 points. Still, performances like this keep them firmly in the playoff picture—and as long as Messi’s on the pitch, any game can turn on a dime.
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