Lionel Messi scored twice, including a stunning late winner, to give Inter Miami a 3–2 victory over Colorado Rapids in front of more than 75,000 fans in Denver on Saturday.
The match was moved to the NFL’s Empower Field at Mile High to meet huge demand to see the Argentine star. Inter Miami raced into a 2–0 lead but Colorado fought back strongly to level before Messi decided the game in the closing stages.
Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Josh Atencio fouled Yannick Bright in the box as Colorado tried to play out from the back under Miami’s press. After a lengthy VAR check, Messi calmly rolled his kick down the middle while the goalkeeper dived to his left.
Just before half time, the Rapids lost the ball again in their own half. Messi flicked a pass that allowed Mateo Silvetti to send in a cross for German Berterame to head home from close range and make it 2–0 to Miami.
Colorado responded after the break. Around the hour mark, Rafael Navarro picked up the ball just inside his own half, drove through the centre, beat a defender with a neat feint and finished low into the bottom right corner to pull one back.
Coach Matt Wells then brought on Darren Yapi for Hamzat Ojediran to add more attacking threat. The change paid off quickly when Lucas Herrington sent a precise ball over the top for Yapi, whose diagonal run put him clear to score the equaliser just minutes after Navarro’s goal.
With the game tilted towards Colorado, Messi produced the decisive moment. He sprinted onto a through ball from Rodrigo De Paul down the right, dribbled into the box and somehow threaded a left foot shot between three defenders and past the goalkeeper into the corner for the 3–2 winner.
It was a perfect start for new Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos, a longtime friend of Messi, who was taking charge for the first time after Javier Mascherano left the club earlier in the week for personal reasons, only four months after delivering Miami’s first MLS Cup title. Hoyos made few changes, the most notable being Berterame replacing the injured Tadeo Allende.
Hoyos praised Messi after the game, saying Miami are fortunate to have the greatest player in history who can completely change the momentum of matches. He added that the win continues the work already done by the reigning MLS champions and shows they remain a solid and energetic team.
The night ended on a sour note for Colorado when Yannick Bright was sent off late on for using abusive language while protesting a yellow card shown to teammate Telasco Segovia.
The win lifts Inter Miami up to second in the Eastern Conference and extends the buzz around the club, which has now twice had to move games to larger stadiums to meet demand to watch Messi.
About the author
Streaming Shift, Career Attacks Affected My Fanbase – Lizzo
American singer Lizzo said the music industry's shift from radio to streaming platforms contributed to a decline in her fanbase over the past few years. The Grammy-winning artist addressed the issue while responding to a fan on X who noted that her following had reduced. She stated that the industry's move toward streaming has affected artists who relied on traditional radio exposure, explaining: "The industry changed so much in the last 3 yrs. Streaming replaced radio & I was a radio darling. That's how my fans discovered my music." "Not to mention the very obvious & public attack on my career changed things. But I'm out here doing my absolute best," she wrote when addressing the fan. Lizzo also alluded to a lawsuit she faced in August 2023, where three former backup dancers accused her of various forms of harassment, […]
Christian Eriksen Doing Well After Collapsing During Friendly
Christian Eriksen experienced a collapse during Denmark's friendly match against Ukraine but is now conscious and alert, according to the Danish Football Association. The match, held in Odense, was interrupted in the 65th minute when Eriksen fell, and it was called off shortly thereafter. "Christian is doing well and left the field on his own," stated Morten Boesen, Denmark's national team physician. He added, "From my perspective, the pacemaker functioned as intended. He was momentarily unconscious but quickly regained awareness, and we established contact with him promptly." The 34-year-old midfielder was able to walk off the pitch independently before being taken to hospital in Odense for further tests to ascertain the reason behind this episode. Boesen mentioned, "He will now have additional tests at the hospital to ascertain the reason behind this episode. We are maintaining regular communication with him […]
Christian Eriksen Doing Well After Collapsing During Friendly
Christian Eriksen experienced a collapse during Denmark's friendly match against Ukraine but is now conscious and alert, according to the Danish Football Association. The match, held in Odense, was interrupted in the 65th minute when Eriksen fell, and it was called off shortly thereafter. "Christian is doing well and left the field on his own," stated Morten Boesen, Denmark's national team physician. He added, "From my perspective, the pacemaker functioned as intended. He was momentarily unconscious but quickly regained awareness, and we established contact with him promptly." The 34-year-old midfielder was able to walk off the pitch independently before being taken to hospital in Odense for further tests to ascertain the reason behind this episode. Boesen mentioned, "He will now have additional tests at the hospital to ascertain the reason behind this episode. We are maintaining regular communication with him […]
Florentino Pérez Re-elected as Real Madrid President
Florentino Pérez has been re-elected as Real Madrid president after defeating rival candidate Enrique Riquelme in the club's first contested presidential election in 20 years. The club's electoral commission announced that Pérez secured 65% of the vote with 21,741 ballots, while Riquelme claimed 35% with 11,814 votes. Pérez, 79, has been Real Madrid president since 2009, and before that between 2000 and 2006, making this his second stint in charge of the club. He proclaimed victory during a speech at a hotel near the Bernabéu stadium, while his rival candidate, Enrique Riquelme, accepted defeat. It was the first contested election the club had held in 20 years, with Pérez elected unopposed in the previous five electoral cycles in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025. In January 2025, Pérez was previously re-elected as the club's president until 2029, but following his […]
Bellingham Must Fight for England World Cup Starting Spot, Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel has warned Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham that he must fight for a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup, citing intense competition within a squad of 14-15 potential starters. "Yes, he has," Tuchel said when asked whether Bellingham has a fight on his hands to be in the starting XI. Tuchel explained that while Bellingham is undeniably one of England's starters, the competition is fierce and roles can shift throughout the tournament. "He knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters. These roles can always change, but at the moment I think there are 14 or 15 proper starters and Jude is one of them," the England boss told reporters. Bellingham will battle it out with Morgan Rogers to determine who starts as England's No.10 for the World […]
FG Clears Over 1,240 Contractors Under N100m Claims
The federal government has cleared over 1,240 contractors with verified claims under N100 million, marking a major step in addressing the government's payment backlog to indigenous construction firms. The clearance follows sustained protests by the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN) over an estimated debt backlog for capital projects executed during recent fiscal years. The Federal Ministry of Finance maintains that payments were only authorised following a rigorous multi-stage verification process to ensure claims were genuine and properly documented. The clearance exercise includes contractors across various sectors including infrastructure development, housing projects,道路 construction, water supply systems, and electricity generation facilities. Minister of State for Finance Dr. Doris Uzoka Anite confirmed the disbursement in a statement issued after sustained protests at the Federal Ministry of Finance headquarters by indigenous firms. The payment aims to address a portion of the estimated […]
Related
Christian Eriksen Doing Well After Collapsing During Friendly
Christian Eriksen experienced a collapse during Denmark's friendly match against Ukraine but is now conscious and alert, according to the Danish Football Association. The match, held in Odense, was interrupted in the 65th minute when Eriksen fell, and it was called off shortly thereafter. "Christian is doing well and left the field on his own," stated Morten Boesen, Denmark's national team physician. He added, "From my perspective, the pacemaker functioned as intended. He was momentarily unconscious but quickly regained awareness, and we established contact with him promptly." The 34-year-old midfielder was able to walk off the pitch independently before being taken to hospital in Odense for further tests to ascertain the reason behind this episode. Boesen mentioned, "He will now have additional tests at the hospital to ascertain the reason behind this episode. We are maintaining regular communication with him […]
Florentino Pérez Re-elected as Real Madrid President
Florentino Pérez has been re-elected as Real Madrid president after defeating rival candidate Enrique Riquelme in the club's first contested presidential election in 20 years. The club's electoral commission announced that Pérez secured 65% of the vote with 21,741 ballots, while Riquelme claimed 35% with 11,814 votes. Pérez, 79, has been Real Madrid president since 2009, and before that between 2000 and 2006, making this his second stint in charge of the club. He proclaimed victory during a speech at a hotel near the Bernabéu stadium, while his rival candidate, Enrique Riquelme, accepted defeat. It was the first contested election the club had held in 20 years, with Pérez elected unopposed in the previous five electoral cycles in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025. In January 2025, Pérez was previously re-elected as the club's president until 2029, but following his […]
Bellingham Must Fight for England World Cup Starting Spot, Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel has warned Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham that he must fight for a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup, citing intense competition within a squad of 14-15 potential starters. "Yes, he has," Tuchel said when asked whether Bellingham has a fight on his hands to be in the starting XI. Tuchel explained that while Bellingham is undeniably one of England's starters, the competition is fierce and roles can shift throughout the tournament. "He knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters. These roles can always change, but at the moment I think there are 14 or 15 proper starters and Jude is one of them," the England boss told reporters. Bellingham will battle it out with Morgan Rogers to determine who starts as England's No.10 for the World […]
Pictorial: Top 10 Standout 2026 World Cup Team Send-Offs & Photoshoots
As teams prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, national football associations have unveiled spectacular send-off ceremonies and squad photos that have captured fans' attention. Here are the top 10 most standout send-offs and photoshoots. 1. Norway's Viking-Themed Squad Portrait Norway's national team marked its first World Cup appearance since 1998 with a dramatic Viking-themed squad portrait. Supporters unveiled a rowing routine to bring the same Viking spirit to the stands, making it the World Cup image everyone is talking about. 2. Paraguay's Jaw-Dropping Send-Off Paraguay enjoyed the most jaw-dropping FIFA World Cup 2026 send-off, even following Brazil's iconic flight baptism ritual. The South American nation defeated Nicaragua 4-0 in their final warm-up match before heading to the tournament. 3. Brazil's Iconic Flight Baptism Brazil's national […]
Ajide APC Unity Cup Announces One-Week Registration Extension
The organizers of the Ajide APC Unity Cup football tournament have announced a one-week extension to the registration deadline for clubs wishing to participate in the competition. The extension comes in response to renewed interest from football clubs across the state and a desire to ensure more teams can contest for the prestigious trophy. The tournament, which is organized in partnership with the All Progressings Congress (APC), has been designed to promote youth development and unity through football. Registration for the upcoming edition had originally closed on a specified date, but organizers have now extended the window to allow more clubs to register. Tajudeen Ajide Foundation, which runs the tournament in partnership with APC, has been working to finalize plans for the competition. The Under-20 championship has been structured to run across all five Lagos State Football Association divisions, with […]
World Cup 2026: 14 Coaches Set for Their FIFA World Cup Debut
Fourteen coaches will make their first FIFA World Cup appearance at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The competition kicks off from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities in the three host nations. The most notable coaches waiting for their World Cup debut in 2026 include Mauricio Pochettino (United States), Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), Julian Nagelsmann (Germany), Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Fabio Cannavaro (Uzbekistan), Jamal Sellami (Jordan) and Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo). Each arrives with a very different background but all will experience the tournament from the touchline for the first time. Among World Cup beginners are Tchouli (Algeria), Vladimir Petković (Algérie), Tony Popovic (Australia), Ralf Rangnick (Austria), Rudi Garcia (Belgium), Serghey Barbarez (Bosnia), Jesse Marsch (Canada), Bubista (Cape Verde), Néstor Lorenzo (Colombia), Zlatko Dalić (Croatia), Dick Advocaat (Curaçao), and Miroslav Koubek (Czech […]