MIAMI — Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami squandered a 3-0 lead to fall 4-3 to Orlando City and remains in search of a first win at their new Nu Stadium.
Miami appeared to be on their way in Argentine superstar Messi’s 100th match with the South Florida side, AFP reported.
But Orlando scored the final four goals to hand the Herons their second defeat of the Major League Soccer season.
Messi’s brilliant strike in the 33rd minute gave the hosts a 3-0 lead, the former Barcelona star curling a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area past Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.
Ian Fray had opened the scoring for Miami in the fourth minute and Venezuelan Telasco Segovia doubled the score in the 25th.
But the team coached by Argentine Guillermo Hoyos couldn’t maintain the pace.
Argentine Martin Ojeda scored Orlando’s first three goals, pulling one back in the 39th minute with a brilliant long-range strike.
Ojeda repeated the formula with another shot from the edge of the box in the 68th minute.
He delivered the equaliser in the 79th minute from the penalty spot, taking his tally to seven goals in 11 matches this season.
Tyrese Spicer completed the spectacular comeback in second-half injury time, latching onto a long ball in behind the centre backs and finishing between the legs of goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.
