Messi Hat-Trick 💥 Inter Miami vs New York City 5-1 - All Goals & Highlights - 2026
As you get a sense of the atmosphere inside at Citi Field, this has not been a welcoming
ground for Inter Miami.
The only time they played here, they lost in the playoffs back in 2022.
In the overall, Inter Miami have not won away at New York City in their history.
They've only won once in 12 meetings between these two sides.
Obviously, the history differ now with Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Rodrigo de Paul, and
all of the big name stars now available to Inter Miami.
Inter Miami, New York City have been surging up the table, five wins in their last six.
They have now clinched a playoff spot.
They've won seven of their last nine, absolutely flying towards the top of the Eastern Conference.
Now, go from the debate of just making the playoffs to now, how high can they get?
Again, they'd be third at the close of business tonight with a victory.
What has worked so well for New York City in this recent run?
Really, it's been how defensively organized they've been, the intensity off the ball that
they've shown.
They're going to come back.
They're going to want that tonight.
But with the form that they're in, they should start this game with loads of confidence and
really where this team thrives is in transition.
So Fernandez-McClause against teams currently in the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
He gets cross-lifted in, and the volley is in from Silvestri, audacious hip off target.
A really good start already for Miami, purposeful movement.
You're getting Busquets on the ball at times.
He will drop in.
This time, he's able just to get faced up, and then they're able to go quickly.
Suarez, this is what he'll add.
He'll drift out wide at times, but really, he's going to be the one that they're going
to try to play off, decent ball in, and so that he's just trying to meet it wonderfully
in the end.
The position of U.S. number one in goal.
Down this right side, challenge in from the spaces in the middle, as Alba does here, making
a usual run for it.
On that left-hand side, the numerical.
Two just combining.
Yeah, and this is a little nervy moment defensively, and this is something that New York City.
Svalcone is in.
Here's Svalcone to try and flick it back.
Giving away into the path of Morales, who takes it.
Here's Nico Fernandez-Mercow.
On he goes, and takes the aim!
It's just off target there from Fernandez-Mercow, working the corner routine, but shot a bit
wide.
Well, and whether he's out wide or up top.
New York City, the ones applying the press now.
Suarez asking for the foul.
Morales pops up in a good position, but just that.
Fernandez-Mercow playing as that center forward instead of up.
Fernandez-Mercow is more often than not, he's going to want the ball out of his.
Frey getting the cross away, but always sailing out of play.
O'Toole going direct, but not to his boyhood side.
Ras includes Morales, but a teenager joining the summer from Newell's old boy.
Messi returning towards Suarez, and left for Alma, who tries to volley across.
And Marcin's covered.
The two almost getting in each other's way there, just having that bit of communication.
It all just starts with a quick switch of the point of play to be able to get this little
2v1 situation, and then an early ball in.
But this is where Miami is so difficult to defend, because one,
they're always looking for an initial ball in.
Falcone finds himself free right inside.
New York City will take their turns to go to the Cup Final.
A draw against DCU.
Suarez finding a good parking for Messi.
Will take the strikeout from distance, and it's only just off target.
Hit it sweetly, and it did take a deflection on its way through, but
Messi testing frees early.
Well, getting Messi free is all.
Here's Messi's corner, lifted that back post, and Suarez was in there,
as was Justin Hack.
Basic goal kick is Hack on the header, off of Suarez.
...meetings.
New York City have been dominant.
Perez crosses, blocked there by Baltasar Rodríguez.
...build with more numbers, make it a lot easier for Miami.
...well flicked on there from Fernández Mercado, but...
...and Busquets.
...but not really penetrative, not really finding any windows.
...Squets, space between the lines, Suarez turning.
...now with DePaul to a chip in, in towards Messi!
...right side, and now, once again featuring in the role,
running at O'Neal.
And Baltasar Rodríguez inside,
Kent still headed towards that area
to get it away from that penalty area.
Late one left in, though, from Silvetti, and the free kick
is gonna be awarded a yellow card as well
...from Mateo Silvetti.
...one of the wide channels that open up the space
centrally for New York City.
...Sargonou heads across, Frey one-assed it,
Suarez...
...out quickly, again, gives it...
...to Jordi Alba.
...Ojeda's cross to no one in particular,
Frey dealing with it, and Alba,
more than fine to concede the corner
as Miami put under pressure.
...now this is where they thrive, as quickly as they can go,
they want to get numbers, just a little bit of miscommunication
exactly where Wolff wanted the ball,
but lovely little touch to be able to break free
and then you see the...
...and there's Murcal, lifting it,
free-headed from our teams!
...Emil on the second time,
the block coming in...
...half of the starry...
...the first time, could come from Messi,
Perea across...
...and chipped in behind and towards...
...DC United having their chances,
not taking them...
...one-nil up,
Perea, Argentine teenager, playing towards Messi,
but again, not seeing a run,
suggestion of offside, but Angon
goes Ojeda...
...New York City, they know it...
...that exclusive net cam replay is brought to you...
...what we thought for Miami,
they are starting to squeeze the game,
be a bit more aggressive...
...mistakes...
...owned by the city football group
that value...
...contact came...
...yes he did, I think the contact came on the shoulder...
...Messi spots the run of Alba,
finds it flawlessly, Alba with the
challenge coming in, late doors there
from Thiago Marchins,
just as it looked like Alba was ready to deliver
that lead football...
...doesn't matter how good your positioning
is defensively and how compact you are
between the lines, how narrow you make the field
this player...
...Messi's corner, whipped in at pace
and lifting back towards Messi...
...proved pivotal,
Alba lifting towards...
...had an off-season,
nearing on 18 months...
...throws in towards Suarez,
Depaul with Depaul...
...to be in here is Fernandez-Mercado
on the turn, Nico Fernandez
dragged it wide
another chance on a golden platter
for New York City
somehow it's still 0-0
...exactly what they need for Fernandez-Mercado
those little darting runs in behind
Allen comes across, over-commits
and then it frees up for Fernandez-Mercado
in this position does so well
to use Falcone to his advantage
and then in this moment
this is where you just have to compose yourself
place it into the back of the...
...sharp on the turn
...to this game, they would get their chances
but you could not allow a team...
...Mercado and Morales slipped
Messi
first down there was Suarez
who volleys back
it does well to concede Wolf coming
but did well to play ahead of him
...and Busquets has done a good...
...Wolf the target of another through ball
...at the right time
...chip in, locked in that back post
the chance was on there
all out of the playoffs
...the challenge considering the number of games
left to play, chip the crossing
off the back of Jordi Alba
...Messi
the challenge coming in
...Messi takes
and frees
getting fingertips to it
it will be a corner for Miami
that one was well struck from Messi
this is why you have to be clinical on the other end
because when you have Messi on your side
regardless of where he is, whether it's direct free kicks
my goodness, frees does such a good
job of getting across, keeping his feet moving
getting him stretched out
to make sure
here comes Messi's delivery towards that back
...in the back there from Jordi Alba
and now Ojeda
Alba
...in trouble here by the corner
here's Baltasar Rodriguez
if you don't take your chances
against Miami
they will make you pay
Busquets to Messi
to Baltasar Rodriguez
for his second of the season
as Miami take the lead
on the stroke of halftime
two passes and then the back of the net
but it all starts with the positioning
of Busquets, we've already mentioned
how good he has been in those central areas
this time reads it so well
to be able to pick it off, but it's that first touch
that sets him up, instead of going out wide
just right down the heart of New York City
and then Rodriguez, the timing of the run
sees it immediately
knows exactly where Messi's going to turn
and then you get the numbers in behind
and this is what it's all about, just staying calm
even under pressure, two defenders coming in
on him, just opens up his hips
for the easy finish, the simple finish
to put the away team up 1-0
and Messi
with the perfectly weighted ball
through the legs there of Thiago
Marcin
...play when they start to get stretched
those gaps do open up
...towards Alba
both are waiting to play
...at a time as presented by Audier
minimum of one minute at the end
...left it behind him and presented a gift
...Depaul
will cross back in and
...towards the middle for Hernandez-Mercal
...he's going to have to be mindful
if they're going to try to send players forward, increase their intensity
...typical head gesture towards the referee
of a player bemused
free kick given once more
to City
...Aiden O'Neill tripped up in the center
of the park
...snapping in but couldn't win it
here's Morales
...towards that middle, slipping to Suarez
on the turn, Suarez!
...behind, in towards the runner
...stay controlled in the central parts of the
field
...younger players here and develop
...back towards Suarez who tried dummying
for Messi
...in place centrally but just beyond the
...behind, are they going to try to keep possession
just get caught between two
...Falcón turning into trouble
...was clipped there by Morales
it'll be a free kick
...Falcón rolling over
feeling he was caught there
...that ball between lines
...Falcón finding the idea
...into the path of Messi
...freeze
will get to it first
...the compactness is making it difficult
for New York City to have any time
...in play
...prior to chipping it forward
...behind, you've got the wide players of Ajedo and Wolf
...that do have the pace
...Morales who will chip to the back post
...but also again
...Busquets
...going to ground
...can still be played here in the penalty area
...by Morales who gets turned
...lifted through that box
...going forward
...who's the one who escapes with the ball
...free kick awarded
...a huge defending from Frey on that far side
...they find him
...conventional with Busquets
...so sharp on the ball
...Alonso Martínez will give a little bit of life
...sharpness
...can play the bounce
...straight off the bench
...runs that were missing
...repelled away
...has some room on this left side
...in the area for City
...Falcón
...covering well up the near post
...chances down both ends
...the very second that
...Alonso Martínez making a run
...a little deception
...that ball doesn't go through to Martínez
...Baltasar Rodríguez slips himself
...delivered
...Martínez tracking
...players gone down in the area
...including Alonso Martínez
...a free kick given to Miami
...for the contact on Falcón
...looks like maybe Martínez was trying
...to really sell
...the contact that was made
...there's Martínez that makes it first
...and then Martínez so easy to go to ground
...this brilliant game unfolding in front of them
...gets the majority of
...this season but then also it's going to push
...flick back for Alba and chip towards
...Messi
...as Miami goes running
...now the room is opened up
...towards Martínez and Ustadi read it
...couldn't find the ball through all that traffic
...to Messi
...Messi for two
...listen to that roar
...Messi once more
...a beauty of a ball
...from Busquets and Messi could only score
...2-0 to Miami
...well it's the understanding
...of where the space is, the vision from Messi
...just stays out of play initially
...but Busquets, what a ball that is
...look at Haak, just got sucked into
...Messi's path and then at the last second
...the change of pace to be able
...to get in behind, there's the pass
...Haak's all out of sorts defensively
...and then Messi in this moment, my goodness
...what a finish that is
...so class, under pressure
...feels it, rides the challenge
...and then it's the last second under full speed
...this entire match
...gonna have to do that
...Alan plays out to Alba
...now playing wide here with Fernandez
...outside of the boot, playing in a bit of a cul-de-sac
...springing into the attack
...Depaul could get there
...goes over the area, it's a penalty
...to Miami
...Rodrigo Depaul at full stretch
...getting to that ball first
...and Justin Haak
...made the contact
...and it's
...here's Luis Suarez for 3-0
...Suarez upon return
...from suspension
...putting this one beyond doubt
...New York City 0
...Miami 3
...just steps up and it's so clinical
...doesn't matter which way
...freezes go in, just tucks it
...somewhere in there, as now New York City
...can play
...Messi, on he goes
...MESSI!
...Messi at the double
...as he was on Saturday
...Miami look a threat
...for top of the East
...on this kind of form
...left foot, right foot
...it doesn't matter one bit
...for Messi in this moment
...no one commits to him
...you see the run from Suarez
...that just stalls the defense
...just a little bit for New York City
...and then Messi says, fine, I'll go myself
...there's the run from Suarez
...opens up just a little window
...and then takes it so smoothly
...with his right foot, just places it past
...he has to commit to one side
...and then tucks it in on the other for Messi
...to make that pinning in
...New York City into those wide areas
...where they've been really susceptible
...conceded a lot of unnecessary
...any sort of counterattacks, get a little bit of help
...between the lines, and then the rest is history
...they look on their way to clinching
...a spot in the playoffs
...might want to see a Messi hat trick here tonight
...instead he lifts towards