ORLANDO, Fla. — Lionel Messi scored twice, including a stunning free-kick winner, as defending MLS champion Inter Miami CF staged a remarkable second-half turnaround to defeat Orlando City SC 4-2 in the first Florida Derby of the 2026 season Sunday night at Inter&Co Stadium.

The result marked Inter Miami's first-ever league victory at Orlando's home ground, ending a long-standing hoodoo for the Herons against their intrastate rivals. Orlando City had previously been unbeaten at home in the series, but Messi's magic and clinical finishing from teammates turned a 2-0 deficit into a commanding win.