LAFC defeats Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 3-0 at Coliseum in memorable MLS Opening Day game

LAFC Dominates Inter Miami in Season Opener

On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum buzzed with excitement as it welcomed Lionel Messi back to the field. The energy in the stadium felt charged, as if time had woven together past and present, and it was clear that while Messi was the headline, it was his rival team’s night to shine.

The 2026 Major League Soccer season kicked off with the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) defeating the reigning champions, Inter Miami CF, with a solid 3-0 victory. Messi, the Argentine superstar, made his entrance, walking under the grand archway of a venue known for its historic significance in sports.

Despite not scoring or smiling, Messi drew a crowd of 75,673 fans, marking the second-largest attendance in MLS history. The atmosphere was electric. Black and gold scarves waved under the Olympic torch as pink jerseys stood out against the night sky. It felt less like a season opener and more like a championship match.

During warm-ups, the press box vibrated with noise. Every time Messi touched the ball, there was a response—neither pure adoration nor outright rivalry, but a palpable respect. Los Angeles has always embraced stars, and I found myself caught up in the moment.

This season, Messi entered with back-to-back MLS MVP and Golden Boot honors. He had been instrumental in Miami’s championship run, with impressive stats: 29 goals, 19 assists in the regular season, and another 15 goals during the playoffs. His skills have turned the game into a personal showcase.

Marc dos Santos, now LAFC’s head coach, faced Messi head-on with confidence. He designed his team to counter Messi’s impact, focusing on compactness, discipline, and boldness. Miami’s midfield, now missing Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, can still create plays, but they were constantly pressured by opposing players like Rodrigo de Paul.

Whenever Messi received the ball, it seemed he was instantly swarmed.

The match remained tense until the 37th minute, when Son Heung-min expertly maneuvered down the left side and passed to an unmarked David Martinez, who slotted the ball past LAFC’s goalkeeper, Dane St Clair. The scoreboard read 1-0 in favor of LAFC.

In the 72nd minute, Timothy Tillman unleashed a long ball that found Dennis Bouanga, who executed a brilliant header volley, sending the ball into an empty net. It was an impressive play—confident, athletic, and, frankly, a bit ruthless. That made it 2-0.

Although Messi had a few opportunities, he couldn’t penetrate LAFC’s solid defense. The team effectively outperformed the champions, transforming the opening match into a statement game.

In the closing moments, LAFC added a third goal when Bouanga crossed into the box, resulting in Nathan Aldous finding the back of the net. The final score: 3-0.

While Saturday night wasn’t a handover of greatness from Messi to Son Heung-min—who plays under a different narrative entirely—it acted as a reminder that MLS is progressing beyond just one star. The league feels richer and faster than ever before.