-Sports Illustrated Stadium- Lionel Messi and Inter Miami ran past the Red Bulls on Saturday night, winning 5-1 in New York. Messi scored his sixth brace in his last seven games, along with two assists on the night. Telasco Segovia, the rising Venezuelan midfielder, also scored a brace, with Jordi Alba notching a goal and two assists. Alexander Hack scored the lone goal for NY.
Starting XI
Rocco Ríos Novo started in goal; Marcelo Weigandt, Maximiliano Falcón, Gonzalo Luján, and Alba the backline; Federico Redondo, Sergio Busquets, Tadeo Allende, and Telasco Segovia in the midfield; Messi and Luis Suárez up front.
Ríos Novo starts @ goalie; Lujan @ center back; Redondo in the midfield..#Messi & the Barca Boys all get the nod..Will Mascherano ever rest his veteran stars ⭐️?
Does he not trust his bench? #InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/LTpj7RGoP9— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 19, 2025
Match Action
The Red Bulls came out charging, pressuring the Herons high, disrupting Miami’s passing lanes. The Florida squad could not get the ball out cleanly from the back early, and NY looked like they were on the verge of scoring at any moment. NY got on the board off a corner kick in the 14th minute when Alexander Hack volleyed a cross in despite being smothered by Federico Redondo.
Ríos Novo gets lost in the crowd on the Red Bull corner kick & the ball ends up in the #InterMiamiCF net.. 1-0 NY off another dead ball disaster..#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2025
Lionel Messi slid an exquisite service through the Red Bulls’ defense into the box to Jordi Alba, who finished with a bang to tie the game at 1-1 in the 24th minute.
Lionel #Messi gives Jordi Alba the exquisite service into the box & he finishes with a blast into the NY net to tie the match @ 1-1…#MLS #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2025
Three minutes later, Messi gave another brilliant pass to Alba, and the lefty crossed the ball in for Telasco Segovia’s finish and the 2-1 lead.
The GOAT 🐐 serves Alba once again into the box & the legendary left back sends it to Segovia, who finishes with a right footed push for the 2-1 lead …#MLS #Messi #InterMiamiCF
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2025
Miami was not done, and neither was Segovia. Telasco took advantage of a loose ball from a skirmish inside the NY box and placed a shot into the corner net for the 3-1 lead in stoppage time of the first half.
After a skirmish in the box, a loose ball ⚽️ goes to Telasco Segovia, who puts it to rest in the NY net with a right footed shot, 3-1 #InterMiamiCF.. A brace in the 1st half for the young Venezuelan 🇻🇪 ..#MLS #Messi
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 21, 2025
The Herons were not done yet, as Lionel Messi was about to put on a show. Sergio Busquets delivered a dagger through the heart of the Red Bulls’ defense for Messi, who controlled in stride, dribbled past the NY goalie, and shot it in for the 4-1 Miami lead.
Sergio Busquets puts forth a dagger 🗡️ of a pass through the middle of the Red Bulls defense for the GOAT 🐐, #Messi, who runs in stride, leaves the NY goalie grasping for air & finishes for the 4-1 #InterMiamiCF lead..#MLS
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2025
The Goat delivered another brace, after he trapped a Suarez pass with his chest and blasted it home for the final 5-1 scoreline.
Lionel #Messi gets his 6th brace in his last 7 games..A stupendous assist from Luis Suarez leads to the GOAT 🐐 finish for the resounding 5-1 score..#MLS #InterMiamiCF.. Lionel is now the leading scorer in the league with 17 goals..
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2025
Postgame Quote
Mascherano was asked about Lionel Messi’s latest performance, a two-goal, two-assist night,
Lionel transcends futbol…
Without a doubt, Messi transcends the game of futbol; he is beloved not just because of his talent, but also because of his humility and exemplary family life. No other player has reached the heights he has on the pitch, and few have matched him off it.
Final Thoughts
Lionel Messi became the leading goal scorer in MLS after his brace against the New York Red Bulls brought his tally up to 18 goals. Two more fantastic finishes for a player who never ceases to amaze. I won’t stop reminding Inter Miami fans to truly cherish these moments with Messi and Suarez, Busquets, and Alba.
The Barca Boys with a vintage performance with each veteran playing a vital role in the #InterMiamiCF rout of the Red Bulls 5-1.. #Messi brace, Busquets & Suarez assists, Alba goal… pic.twitter.com/kG47LpzRB2
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2025
Telasco Segovia is developing into a nice two-way player for Miami. The young Heron has 7 goals and 5 assists, while playing solid defensively. Segovia is evolving into a more complete player and surely will garner interest from European teams.
Segovia has continued to grow in the #InterMiamiCF midfield; he’s become a more complete player who can defend & attack fluidly..#MLS #Messi https://t.co/V6sLFT6gBs
— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) July 20, 2025
The Herons turned the page rather quickly after their 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday. They get an opportunity to make things right on Saturday at Chase Stadium against Cincinnati.
Javier Mascherano has refused to rest the Barca veterans, playing them big minutes every single match. On Saturday, they provided a vintage performance and looked refreshed. Let’s hope those older legs can last the rest of the season without injury.
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