Inter Miami’s shiny new home turned into a house of horrors on Saturday night, as the Herons blew a 3-1 halftime lead and fell 4-3 to in‑state rival Orlando City at Nu Stadium. Martín Ojeda buried a second‑half hat trick, Tyrese Spicer smashed home a stoppage‑time winner, and Lionel Messi’s last‑gasp free kick clipped the crossbar in his 100th appearance for Miami. The loss snapped a long unbeaten run, kept Miami winless at Nu Stadium and left the club staring down a brutal stretch of games before MLS pauses for the World Cup.
Miami Took Control Early
For a while, it looked like a coronation instead of a collapse. Ian Fray opened the scoring in just the fourth minute, rising to head in a Telasco Segovia cross. Messi then flipped to creator mode, sliding a pass across the box for Segovia, who tapped home in the 25th minute. The Argentine superstar added a highlight‑reel long‑range strike of his own as Miami surged to a 3‑0 cushion before the interval, according to Local 10.
Ojeda’s Comeback And Spicer’s Sinker
Orlando’s response started quietly, then turned into a full‑blown ambush. Ojeda kicked off the rally in the 39th minute with the visitors’ first shot of the match, cutting the deficit and shifting the mood in the stadium. He struck again in the 68th minute and later converted from the penalty spot to complete his hat trick, dragging Orlando all the way back.
Deep into stoppage time, with Miami hanging on and the crowd begging for the whistle, the dagger arrived. In the 93rd minute, Spicer pounced in a chaotic scramble and slammed home the winner, sealing a comeback that stunned the home fans and snapped Miami’s 11‑game unbeaten run, as reported by the AP.
Numbers And Turning Points
On the stat sheet, Miami looked like the side that should have walked away smiling. The Herons held roughly 64 percent of the ball and generated about 3.0 expected goals, while Orlando created 1.91 xG by picking their moments on the counter and then finishing ruthlessly, per Local 10.
The match log and lineup sheets on Fox Sports highlight a busy night for Orlando goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, a string of yellow cards as tempers rose and the extended stoppage time that opened the door for Spicer’s last‑second winner.
What’s Next
Inter Miami now heads north to face Toronto on May 9, trying to shake off the collapse and navigate a four‑game run before the World Cup break; that trip is listed on Ticketmaster. Orlando, meanwhile, leaves South Florida with a statement comeback that adds extra spice to an already fiery Florida rivalry.
