Messi stunned: Orlando City overcomes 3-0 deficit to beat Inter Miami

by · The News International
Messi stunned: Orlando City overcomes 3-0 deficit to beat Inter Miami

Orlando City SC pulled off one of the most remarkable results in MLS history on Saturday night, overcoming a three-goal deficit to defeat rivals Inter Miami CF 4-3 at Nu Stadium. 

However, down 3-0 after just 33 minutes, Orlando became only the fourth team in MLS history to win a game after trailing by three goals. Star Designated Player Martin Ojeda led the charge with a spectacular hat trick; he scored two goals from open play before clinically converting a 79th-minute penalty to level the score at 3-3.

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Inter Miami appeared to be cruising early on, fueled by a goal and two assists from Lionel Messi. Miami held a 3-0 lead before Orlando began their unanswered four-goal run.

“I'm so happy for Martín,” interim head coach Martín Perelman said. “Martín played 90 minutes 72 hours ago. He doesn't want to leave the field, even for one second."

“He's an exceptional player and I'm so happy for him, and for us to have a player like him.”

The victory marks a potential turning point for Orlando City (3-7-1), who have struggled near the bottom of the Eastern Conference but have now secured back-to-back 4-3 wins.

“It's reflective of the work we've been doing,” Ojeda said. “The only way to push forward is to continue to work. As a group, we're all very united and focused on the goals we have ahead of us.”

“We did an amazing job,” Perelman said. “Little by little, we are getting closer to the team we want to be."