Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami with two goals in the first half against New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in the MLS. The match, played on Saturday, July 12, 2025, remains ongoing, with a 2-0 scoreline favoring the visitors at the end of the initial 45 minutes. The game, part of the MLS Eastern Conference, showcases Miami’s dominance, capitalizing on the Argentine’s brilliance to pressure the home side. The crowd in Foxborough, Massachusetts, witnesses an intense performance, with chances created by both teams, but Inter Miami proves more clinical. The clash highlights Messi’s importance, with 12 goals this season, and underscores the team’s strong form, aiming to solidify its position among the conference leaders.
New England Revolution, despite playing at home, struggles to contain the opposing attack. The team, led by coach Caleb Porter, tries to respond with plays orchestrated by Carles Gil, their top scorer with seven goals this season. However, their shots were not enough to breach Inter Miami’s defense, which relies on the experience of players like Sérgio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The first half was marked by tense moments, such as Alhassan Yusuf’s injury for New England and a yellow card for Inter Miami’s Baltasar Rodriguez.
The match has been fiercely contested, with Inter Miami controlling possession and creating more chances. Below are the key moments of the first half:
- 27’: Lionel Messi opens the scoring with a goal after a solo run, finishing with precision.
- 34’: Baltasar Rodriguez receives a yellow card for a hard foul.
- 38’: Messi scores his second goal, assisted by Sérgio Busquets, extending the lead.
- 45+2’: Leonardo Campana’s shot is saved, but Inter Miami keeps pressing.
- 45+3’: Goal kick for Inter Miami after a New England attempt.
The encounter reflects the recent rivalry between the teams, with Inter Miami holding the upper hand in past meetings. In the last eight games, Miami won five, while New England secured three victories. The current MLS season places Inter Miami sixth in the Eastern Conference with 32 points, while New England is 11th with 24 points.
Messi’s dominance at Gillette Stadium
Lionel Messi, with his two goals, was the standout performer in the first half. The Argentine, who has scored 12 times this season, shows why he is Inter Miami’s key figure. His movement on the pitch, combined with his vision, constantly troubled New England’s defense. The first goal, at 27 minutes, came after a trademark run, dribbling past two defenders before slotting the ball into the corner.
New England’s fans, though numerous, saw their team struggle to match the pace set by the visitors. Carles Gil, the team’s main playmaker, tried to create chances but was stifled by Inter Miami’s tight marking. Sérgio Busquets’ assist for Messi’s second goal, at 38 minutes, highlighted the chemistry between the former Barcelona teammates, who controlled the midfield.
New England created sporadic chances. A shot by Alhassan Yusuf at 21 minutes was saved by goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, and Luca Daniel Langoni missed an opportunity at 26 minutes. The team feels the pressure of playing at home, where they haven’t won in their last five MLS matches.
Detailed first-half timeline
The match was filled with moments that shaped its tempo. Below is a timeline of the main events:
- 2’: Baltasar Rodriguez, from Inter Miami, shoots off target in one of the game’s early attempts.
- 18’: Messi takes a corner, and Jordi Alba nearly scores, but the shot goes over the bar.
- 21’: Alhassan Yusuf, from New England, shoots, but Ustari makes the save.
- 27’: Messi opens the scoring with a goal of pure skill, bypassing the defense.
- 38’: Sérgio Busquets assists Messi, who scores Inter Miami’s second goal.
Recent history between the teams
Matches between New England Revolution and Inter Miami have been action-packed. In the last five encounters, Inter Miami won three, including a 6-2 thrashing in October 2024. New England secured two victories but failed to draw any of these games. The average goal count in these clashes is high, at 4.4 per game, with 2.4 in the first half alone.
Inter Miami’s current MLS campaign is strong, with nine wins in 17 matches and a solid away record, boasting four wins and three draws. New England, however, is in a slump, with only six wins in 19 games and struggles to score at home, failing to find the net in four of their last eight home matches.
Strategies and lineups on the pitch
Inter Miami, coached by Javier Alejandro Mascherano, deployed a 4-4-2 formation, with Messi and Luis Suárez up top. Sérgio Busquets’ presence in midfield provides balance, while Jordi Alba bolsters the left flank with constant overlaps. New England, under Caleb Porter, opted for a 4-3-3, with Carles Gil as the main orchestrator and Leonardo Campana as the focal point in attack.
Alhassan Yusuf’s injury at 22 minutes was a setback for New England, disrupting their midfield. Yusuf returned at 24 minutes, but the team felt the impact. Baltasar Rodriguez’s yellow card for Inter Miami at 34 minutes also raised the temperature, with the game growing physical.
Numbers that explain the game
The first half was dominated by Inter Miami’s efficiency. Despite New England having more throw-ins (six to Miami’s four), Miami was more accurate in their shots. Inter Miami had five attempts, three on target, while New England managed four shots, with only one on goal. Possession was balanced, with a slight edge to the visitors.
Below are some key first-half stats:
- Shots: Inter Miami (5), New England (4).
- Shots on target: Inter Miami (3), New England (1).
- Corners: Inter Miami (2), New England (2).
- Fouls committed: Inter Miami (3), New England (2).
- Possession: Inter Miami (52%), New England (48%).
What to expect in the second half
With a 2-0 lead, Inter Miami heads into the break with a comfortable advantage, but New England will look to fight back at home. The Gillette Stadium crowd, known for rallying until the end, could boost the home side. Carles Gil and Leonardo Campana are New England’s main hopes for a comeback.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, will likely stick to their strategy of exploiting Messi and Suárez’s pace, while relying on the defensive solidity of Tomas Aviles and Maximiliano Falcon. The match remains open, with potential for more goals given the teams’ history.
Curiosities about the matchup
The game has elements beyond the scoreline. Some points highlight its significance:
- Lionel Messi is Inter Miami’s top scorer this season, with 12 goals.
- Carles Gil leads New England in assists (3) and goals (7).
- Gillette Stadium holds 65,000 fans, but New England hasn’t won at home in five games.
- Inter Miami has the best away record in the Eastern Conference, with 61% efficiency.
- The rivalry between the teams has intensified in recent years, with closely fought matches.
