Lionel Messi propels Inter Miami to a 3-2 victory over Colorado Rapids

Lionel Messi scored two goals, Germán Berterame scored a goal for the second straight game and Inter Miami defeated the Colorado Rapids 3-2 on Saturday to extend its unbeaten streak to seven games and win its first match under interim coach Guillermo Hoyos.

Hoyos, who had served as the club’s sporting director, took over coaching duties after Javier Mascherano unexpectedly left the club due to personal reasons. Mascherano led Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS (Major League Soccer) Cup title in his only full season with the club.

Messi, who opened the scoring when he converted a penalty in the 13th minute, scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute. After a Colorado goal near midfield, Messi cut back into the right corner of the penalty area and hit a rising shot that split a pair of defenders and slid into the back post.

Messi has scored seven goals this season, tied with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa for the most goals in MLS.

Miami (4-1-3) hasn’t lost since its season-opening 3-0 loss to Los Angeles FC.

Yannick Bright was shown a straight red car in the 87th minute and Miami played a man down the rest of the way.

The Rapids (4-4-0) had won back-to-back games and three of their last four

Bright drew a penalty against Josh Atencio and Messi converted from the spot to open the scoring.

Mateo Silvetti played an arcing cross along the right endline to the back post, where Berterame whipped in a header to make it 2-0 in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time.

Bertarame made his first career start and scored his first goal in MLS last time out in a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls.

Rafael Navarro scored for the Rapids in the 58th minute. The 26-year-old forward scored two goals in a 6-2 win over Houston last time out and has six goals this season.

Darren Yapi came on for Hamzat Ojediran and scored on the counter-attack moments later to make it 2-2 in the 62nd minute.

Published on April 19, 2026