Inter Miami kicked off a new era with a 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire on Saturday night, delivering a dream debut for head coach Javier Mascherano’s replacement, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, as Lionel Messi scored twice — including a stunning late winner — to seal the result at Chase Stadium.
The Argentine icon, now 37, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a typically composed finish after latching onto a through ball from Sergio Busquets, slipping past Chicago’s defense and coolly placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Chris Brady. It was Messi’s 10th goal in 11 appearances since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, underscoring his immediate impact despite the recent upheaval in the technical area.
Chicago responded before halftime, with Hugo Cuypers equalizing in the 39th minute after a defensive lapse allowed him to pounce on a loose ball in the box and fire low past goalkeeper Drake Callender. The Belgian forward added a second just after the break, heading in a corner kick in the 48th minute to put the Fire ahead 2-1 and silence the home crowd.
But Inter Miami refused to wilt. Messi restored parity in the 67th minute, cutting inside from the left and curling a left-footed effort just inside the far post — his 850th career goal for club and country, according to Opta. The goal sparked renewed belief, and as the clock ticked down, Martino’s side pushed for a winner.
It came in the 89th minute. After a swift transition initiated by Busquets, Messi received the ball near the edge of the box, took one touch to set himself, and unleashed a dipping, swerving shot that flew into the top corner — a goal worthy of any stage. Brady had no chance as the ball nestled into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the 20,147 fans in attendance.
The win marked Inter Miami’s first under Martino, who took over following the abrupt departure of Javier Mascherano just over four months after leading the club to its first-ever Leagues Cup title. Mascherano stepped down on May 2 for personal reasons, a decision confirmed by the club in an official statement that cited “private matters requiring his full attention.” Martino, a World Cup-winning coach with Argentina and former Barcelona boss, returned to MLS after a brief stint with the national team, bringing immediate credibility and tactical clarity.
His influence was evident from the first whistle. Inter Miami dominated possession (61%) and completed 87% of their passes, dictating tempo despite Chicago’s early threat on the break. Martino deployed a flexible 4-2-3-1 that shifted into a 3-4-3 in possession, allowing fullbacks Noah Allen and Ryan Sailor to push high while Busquets and Federico Redondo anchored midfield.
Messi operated as a false nine, drifting between lines to create space for Leonardo Campana and Tomás Avilés to make late runs — a tactical nuance that confused Chicago’s backline throughout. Campana came close to scoring in the 55th minute, heading wide from a Messi free-kick, while Avilés forced a smart save from Brady in the 72nd with a powerful header from a corner.
Chicago, meanwhile, showed resilience under coach Gregg Berhalter, who made his Fire debut after leaving the U.S. Men’s National Team role. Cuypers’ two goals highlighted the Fire’s threat from set pieces and second-ball aggression, but defensive lapses at critical moments cost them. Brady made several key stops, including a point-blank deny on Campana in the 62nd minute, but could not prevent Messi’s late magic.
The result lifts Inter Miami to 4-2-2 in the Eastern Conference, keeping them in playoff contention early in the season. Chicago remains winless in their last three (0-2-1) but showed flashes of promise, particularly in transition.
Post-match, Martino praised his team’s character. “We knew it wouldn’t be simple,” he said in his first press conference as Inter Miami head coach. “But the players believed, and Leo showed why he’s the best. That goal? That’s why we’re here.”
Messi, typically understated, simply smiled when asked about the winner. “It felt good to facilitate the team win,” he said. “New coach, new energy — we just wanted to start strong.”
Looking ahead, Inter Miami travels to face Nashville SC on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET (23:30 UTC), while Chicago hosts the New England Revolution on May 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET (00:00 UTC).
For now, the focus remains on building momentum. With Messi fit and firing, Martino settled in, and the Leagues Cup trophy still gleaming in the cabinet, Inter Miami have sent a clear message: the dream debut was just the beginning.
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