Lionel Messi struck a decisive late goal at Gillette Stadium to cap a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory for Inter Miami over the New England Revolution on the final matchday of the regular season. Dániel Gazdag had initially put the hosts ahead in the 53rd minute before Germán Berterame equalised and Messi completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute.
What the Tournament or Event Is
The fixture marked the concluding round of the Major League Soccer regular season, taking place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Both sides entered the matchday fighting for vital positioning in the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the postseason playoffs. For the New England Revolution, finishing strong carried added significance as they aimed to cement the second seed in the East and match historic club win records.
The Main Contenders
Inter Miami deployed a 4-3-3 formation featuring Dayne St. Clair in goal behind a defensive line of Ian Fray, Casemiro, Micael, and Gonzalo Luján. In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, and Telasco Segovia supported an attacking trio anchored by captain Lionel Messi alongside Germán Berterame and Riquelme Fillipi. Meanwhile, the New England Revolution lined up in a 4-2-3-1 set-up under head coach Marko Mitrović, featuring Matt Turner in goal and Dor Turgeman leading the attack flanked by Dániel Gazdag and Peyton Miller.
The Key Storylines to Watch
The encounter revolved around high-stakes playoff positioning and individual milestones. New England entered the fixture on the back of a four-match winning run in domestic competition, having defeated the New York Red Bulls 3-2 in midweek. On the other side, Lionel Messi sought to add to his remarkable tally of 25 goals as the league's leading scorer and frontrunner for a historic third successive MLS MVP award.
Schedule and Format
The regular-season showdown kicked off at 7:00 PM Eastern Time at Gillette Stadium. Major League Soccer operates on a structured conference format where teams play 34 regular-season matches before advancing to the knockout post-season playoffs. This fixture served as Matchday 34 and the final away fixture of the regular campaign for Inter Miami.
What to Expect
With the regular season concluding, both squads now pivot towards the intense MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami demonstrated resilience by overcoming a deficit on the road against a formidable home side, confirming that their star-studded lineup remains a potent threat in knockout football. New England, despite the narrow defeat, carry strong momentum from a productive campaign into the post-season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the goals in the match between New England Revolution and Inter Miami?
Dániel Gazdag opened the scoring for New England in the 53rd minute. Germán Berterame levelled for Inter Miami in the 69th minute, before Lionel Messi scored the winner in the 83rd minute.
What formations did both teams use?
New England Revolution lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under head coach Marko Mitrović, while Inter Miami deployed a 4-3-3 setup.
Where was the match played?
The fixture took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough as the final away regular-season match for Inter Miami.
What was the final score?
Inter Miami defeated the New England Revolution with a final score of 2-1.
