Lionel Messi Scores Twice in Inter Miami Win Over Colorado Rapids

Lionel Messi scored two goals for Miami, with the second coming in the 79th minute to secure the win. A teammate also scored for Miami, while Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi scored for Colorado.

The attendance was 75,824, which ranks as the second-highest in MLS history. This was Inter Miami's first game since Javier Mascherano stepped down as coach on Tuesday, four months after leading the team to its first MLS Cup title. Guillermo Hoyos, previously the sporting director, was appointed interim coach for upcoming matches.

Coaching Transition and

Performance Hoyos has a prior connection with Messi from more than 20 years ago at Barcelona's La Masia academy.

After the match, Hoyos stated at a news conference that it was a beautiful experience working with players of immense quality, including Messi. Messi converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute to open the scoring. A teammate scored to make it 2-0.

Navarro scored for Colorado in the 58th minute, and Yapi equalized in the 62nd minute.

Key Moments and Standings Messi's

winning goal came after a turnover near midfield, where he cut back and struck a rising shot into the back post.

Messi has seven goals this season, tied with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa for the most in MLS. Inter Miami, with a record of 4-1-3, is now unbeaten in seven games since a season-opening loss to LAFC. Yannick Bright received a straight red card in the 87th minute, leaving Miami with 10 players.

The Rapids, with a record of 4-4-0, had won back-to-back games and three of their last four before this match. The penalty for Messi's first goal was drawn by Bright.