Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls: Magic Messi is back with a bang 2025

The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 match on July 19, 2025, at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, was a showcase of Lionel Messi’s brilliance, as he delivered his sixth brace in seven games, powering Inter Miami to a 5-1 rout over the 2024 MLS Cup finalists. With two goals and two assists, Messi contributed to four of Miami’s five goals, dismantling the Red Bulls in a performance dubbed “otherworldly” by fans.

Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi Brace 2025: A Masterclass in MLS Dominance

The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 clash saw Inter Miami rebound emphatically from a midweek 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati. The Red Bulls struck first in the 14th minute, with Alexander Hack scoring his first MLS goal off an Emil Forsberg corner. However, Inter Miami responded swiftly, with Messi orchestrating a comeback. In the 24th minute, his pinpoint assist found Jordi Alba, who smashed home the equalizer.

Two minutes later, Messi’s secondary assist set up Telasco Segovia’s first goal, assisted by Alba, giving Miami a 2-1 lead. Just before halftime, Segovia capitalized on a loose ball to score his second, with Miami’s three first-half goals coming from an expected goals (xG) of just 0.67, showcasing their clinical finishing.

Post-halftime, the Red Bulls regrouped but couldn’t withstand Miami’s attack. In the 60th minute, Messi scored his first goal, latching onto a sublime through ball from Sergio Busquets to make it 4-1. The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 moment came in the 75th minute, when Benjamin Cremaschi fed Luis Suárez, whose world-class cross met Messi’s run for a near-perfect finish past goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.

The 5-1 scoreline marked New York’s heaviest home defeat of 2025, dropping their record to 9-9-6, while Inter Miami (12-5-4, 41 points) climbed to fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Player Ratings: Inter Miami’s Standouts

Goalkeeper & Defense

Rocco Rios Novo (5/10): Struggled on Hack’s opening goal, looking shaky in place of the injured Oscar Ustari. Rarely tested thereafter but lacked confidence.
Marcelo Weigandt (5/10): Overwhelmed by Julian Hall and Raheem Edwards, earning a reckless yellow card before halftime. A subpar outing.
Maxi Falcon (6/10): Solid defensively but marred by a sloppy yellow, ruling him out for Miami’s next match against FC Cincinnati. A costly lapse.
Gonzalo Lujan (7/10): Stepped into the starting XI unexpectedly and delivered a composed performance with minimal errors.
Jordi Alba (8/10): Scored a tidy opener and assisted Segovia’s first goal. His attacking output was pivotal in the Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 victory.

Midfield

Tadeo Allende (5/10): Underwhelming, failing to make an impact before being substituted in the 60th minute.
Sergio Busquets (8/10): Delivered a “ridiculous” assist for Messi’s first goal and controlled the midfield with class, earning praise on social media.
Federico Redondo (6/10): Reliable with few mistakes, though limited in attacking contributions.
Telasco Segovia (9/10): The breakout star, scoring twice in the first half with calm, clinical finishes. His brace was a highlight of the Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 match.

Attack

Luis Suárez (7/10): Missed several chances but redeemed himself with a world-class assist for Messi’s second goal. Escaped a yellow despite a fiery performance.
Lionel Messi (10/10): A majestic performance, with two assists (to Alba and Segovia) and two goals (60th and 75th minutes). His sixth brace in seven games and four goal contributions cemented his status as MLS’s top performer, making the Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 a historic night.

Messi’s Historic Form

The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 performance solidified Messi’s place in MLS history. His two goals brought his 2025 tally to 18, tying Nashville’s Sam Surridge for the Golden Boot lead, while his 10 assists rank among the league’s best. Messi became the fifth MLS player to record at least 35 goals and 25 assists over two seasons, joining legends like Robbie Keane and Carlos Vela.

His six braces in seven games set a new MLS record, surpassing his own mark of five consecutive multi-goal games. Social media erupted, with posts like “Messi’s rewriting MLS history” and “The GOAT’s unstoppable”.

Messi’s 40 goals and 25 assists in 65 appearances since joining Inter Miami in July 2023 make him the club’s all-time leading scorer. His performance against the Red Bulls, following a hat-trick against New England on October 19, 2024, and braces against Nashville and others, underscores his consistency at 38. Coach Javier Mascherano hailed Messi’s “unbelievable” impact, noting his 1.68 goal contributions per game in 2025.

Context: Inter Miami’s Season

The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 victory was a statement after a 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati, which ended a five-game unbeaten streak . With 41 points from 21 matches, Inter Miami trail table-toppers FC Cincinnati (48 points) but have three games in hand (web:24). Their 2024 Supporters’ Shield win, with a record 74 points, set high expectations, but a first-round playoff exit to Atlanta United exposed vulnerabilities.

The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 result positions Miami for a top-four Eastern Conference finish, boosting their playoff hopes.

The Red Bulls, despite their 2024 MLS Cup final run, struggled defensively, conceding a season-high five goals. Their 8-2-2 home record took a hit, and coach Sandro Schwarz admitted, “Messi punished us” (web:15). The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 match highlighted Miami’s attacking depth, with Segovia’s emergence and contributions from Alba and Suárez.

Broader MLS Landscape

The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 clash coincided with other MLS action. Philadelphia Union lead the Supporters’ Shield race after a 2-0 win over the Red Bulls earlier in July, while Nashville’s 15-game unbeaten run ended against Miami. San Diego’s Anders Dreyer (11 goals, 13 assists) challenges Messi for the MVP race, and Columbus Crew’s 4-2 comeback over Cincinnati showcased the Eastern Conference’s competitiveness. Messi and Alba’s selection for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, set for midweek, adds to the Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 narrative, with Miami hosting Cincinnati next on July 26.

Impact Beyond the Pitch

The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 moment amplified Inter Miami’s global appeal. Ticket sales for the match surged, with Sports Illustrated Stadium’s 25,000 seats sold out, generating over $2 million in revenue. Social media posts, like “Messi’s pass to Alba was pure art” and “Segovia’s brace stole the show,” garnered millions of views. Messi’s performance also fueled contract talks, with negotiations ongoing for a 2026 extension or beyond. His Deportivo LSM project with Suárez, focused on youth training, gained traction post-match.

What’s Next?

Following the Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 triumph, Inter Miami face FC Cincinnati at home on July 26, seeking revenge for their midweek loss. Messi and Alba’s All-Star Game participation will keep them in the spotlight, while Segovia’s breakout performance signals his growing role. The Red Bulls, now eighth, face Philadelphia next, aiming to rebound. The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 result sets the stage for Miami’s playoff push, with Messi’s form a key factor.

Conclusion: Messi’s MLS Mastery

The Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 match was a testament to Lionel Messi’s enduring brilliance and Inter Miami’s attacking prowess. His sixth brace in seven games, paired with two assists, dismantled a strong Red Bulls side, reinforcing his MVP candidacy and MLS legacy. With Segovia’s brace, Alba’s dynamism, and Suárez’s clutch assist, Miami showcased their depth. As the 2025 season heats up, the Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi brace 2025 will be remembered as a defining moment. Can Messi lead Miami to playoff glory?

Final score: Miami 🔥 / Admin ☠️ pic.twitter.com/31EsVNglqB

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 20, 2025

FAQs: Inter Miami vs New York Red Bulls Lionel Messi Brace 2025

What happened in the Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls match on July 19, 2025?
Inter Miami won 5-1, with Lionel Messi scoring twice and assisting twice, and Telasco Segovia adding a first-half brace.
How did Messi perform in the match?
Messi recorded his sixth brace in seven games, scoring in the 60th and 75th minutes and assisting goals for Jordi Alba and Segovia, earning a 10/10 rating.
Who else stood out for Inter Miami?
Telasco Segovia (9/10) scored twice, Jordi Alba (8/10) scored and assisted, and Sergio Busquets (8/10) provided a key assist.
What was the significance of the win for Inter Miami?
It lifted them to fifth in the Eastern Conference with 41 points, boosting their playoff hopes after a midweek loss.
How does Messi’s performance impact his MLS records?
His 18 goals and 10 assists in 2025 tie him for the Golden Boot lead and place him among MLS’s all-time greats for goal contributions.