How it unfolded

On March 22, 2026, the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium in New York City was electric as fans gathered for a highly anticipated Major League Soccer (MLS) match between New York City FC and Inter Miami CF. The match kicked off at 1 p.m. ET, with both teams eager to secure a vital victory.

Inter Miami struck early, with Gonzalo Luján scoring his first career goal just three minutes into the match, setting the tone for an exciting encounter. New York City FC responded with determination, but it was not until the 59th minute that Agustín Ojeda found the back of the net, narrowing the score to 1-2.

As the match progressed, Lionel Messi showcased his skill by scoring a stunning free kick in the 61st minute, extending Inter Miami’s lead to 3-1. This goal highlighted Messi’s comfort and confidence on the field, as noted by his teammate Javier Mascherano, who remarked, “Messi feels comfortable playing.”

Despite trailing, New York City FC continued to push forward, and their efforts paid off when Ojeda scored, bringing the score to 2-3 in the 59th minute. However, Inter Miami’s defense held strong, and they managed to secure the victory.

In terms of match statistics, Inter Miami dominated possession with 55.4%, compared to NYCFC’s 44.6%. The visitors also outshot the home team, recording 22 shots to NYCFC’s 11, while both teams had 7 corner kicks. NYCFC’s goalkeeper made 5 saves, while Inter Miami’s keeper had 3 saves.

Following the match, Mascherano praised his team’s resilience, stating, “The team and the players showed great character to come back and turn the game around.” Ian Fray, another key player for Inter Miami, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We wanted to bounce back as quick as possible, and that’s what we did here.”

This victory marked an important moment for Inter Miami, as it extended their unbeaten run to four matches in the MLS regular season. The win also came after a disappointing exit in the Concacaf Champions Cup, making it a crucial rebound for the team.

Looking ahead, Inter Miami is set to play their first home game of the season against Austin FC on April 4, 2026. This upcoming match presents another opportunity for the team to build on their recent success and continue their positive momentum in the league.