Messi Leads Inter Miami to Victory in Hoyos’ Coaching Debut.

Inter Miami began a new chapter with a 3–2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. The match marked the debut of interim head coach Guillermo Hoyos, who stepped into the role following Javier Mascherano’s unexpected resignation earlier in the week. A crowd of 75,824—one of the largest in Major League Soccer history—attended the game at Empower Field at Mile High. Lionel Messi once again proved decisive, scoring the game-winning goal in the 79th minute. With the score tied 2–2, Messi delivered a precise left-footed strike from the right side of the penalty area into the top-left corner of the net. The goal, his seventh of the season, secured the win and extended Inter Miami’s unbeaten streak to seven matches. The team now sits second in the Eastern Conference standings, just one point behind Nashville SC. Messi initially gave Inter Miami the lead in the 18th minute by converting a penalty kick after a foul in the box. The team doubled its advantage early in the second half when Germán Berterame scored a header in the 49th minute off a cross from Mateo Silvetti. Berterame’s goal marked his second in consecutive matches after a slow start to the season. Despite trailing 2–0, the Colorado Rapids responded quickly. Rafael Navarro scored in the 58th minute, followed by Darren Yapi’s equalizer in the 62nd minute. The rapid comeback exposed defensive vulnerabilities in Miami’s lineup and energized the home crowd.

The match also included controversy late in the game. Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright was issued a red card in the 87th minute for using offensive and abusive language toward the referee. According to the Professional Referee Organization, the remarks included a derogatory term. Hoyos later stated he was unaware of the incident at the time. Playing with ten men, Inter Miami managed to maintain its lead through the final minutes and stoppage time. Hoyos praised his team’s resilience and emphasized Messi’s influence, describing him as the “best coach in the world” on the field. The victory comes after two disappointing home draws for Miami at their new stadium. Looking ahead, the team faces a quick turnaround with an upcoming match against Real Salt Lake in Utah. Overall, the match highlighted both the challenges and potential of Inter Miami under new leadership, with Messi continuing to play a central role in the team’s success.