Messi opens his 2026 goal tally with a brace

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi opened his 2026 goal account in the best possible way, leading Inter Miami to a thrilling 4-2 victory over Orlando City in the Florida derby, played early Monday morning as part of the second round of Major League Soccer matches . The game started against the home side's wishes, as Orlando imposed their rhythm early and took the lead through Marko Pašalić in the 18th minute. Martín Ojeda doubled the score in the 24th minute, leaving Inter Miami trailing by two goals under immense pressure from their fans . At the start of the second half, coach Javier Mascherano made a bold attacking substitution, bringing on striker Mateo Silvete in place of defender Noah Allen. This change paid off immediately, as Silvete reduced the deficit with a powerful long-range shot in the 49th minute, reviving the home side's hopes . Just minutes later, Messi stepped up, scoring the equalizer in the 57th minute, bringing the game back to square one. The pressure continued until Nelasco Segovia scored the third goal in the 85th minute, before Messi sealed the victory with a fourth goal from a direct free kick in the 90th minute, executed with his usual brilliance, sealing the win and confirming his team's dominance . The Argentine captain's contribution wasn't limited to his brace; he also created three clear-cut chances and had four shots on target, delivering a complete performance that earned him the Man of the Match award . With this win, Inter Miami secured their first three points in the new season of the competition, moving up to seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, Messi continued to write a new chapter in his illustrious career, maintaining his exceptional record of either scoring or assisting in 22 consecutive years, from 2005 to 2026 – an achievement that reflects his enduring and decisive influence across generations .