Lionel Messi left fuming as Inter Miami make unwanted history at ‘cursed’ $1bn stadium

Lionel Messi continued his brilliance, but it wasn’t enough for Inter Miami. 

On the edge of the box, the 38-year-old cut inside and brilliantly placed the ball past Orlando City’s Pedro Gallese. 

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Messi’s fifth goal in his last four games made it 3-0 to Inter Miami just after the half-an-hour mark, but ultimately, it wouldn’t be enough.

Orlando’s Martin Ojeda would make it 3-1 just before the end of the second-half, despite Miami’s overall dominance in the game. Things would change dramatically in the second half.

Ojeda added his second with a brilliant finish after 68 minutes, and the visitors continued pushing for an equaliser and their efforts were rewarded 10 minutes from full-time.  

Maxi Falcon conceded a penalty and Ojeda stepped up to slot home his third. 

Then in the third minute of stoppage-time, Tyrese Spicer broke through Miami’s backline to finish past goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair. 

After the loss, Messi was captured by the broadcast walking down the fan tunnel looking furious.

No audio was captured of his return to the changing room, but Messi was followed closely by his bodyguard, Yassine Chueko who has been banned from being on the touchline in MLS games.

Defender Ian Fray later revealed the harsh tone of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s speech to his fellow teammates.

“Our captain spoke and, of course, told us a lot of things. He encouraged us for the next game and said that this is unacceptable. We all agreed with him, it is unacceptable and it will not happen again,” he said, via ratopati.

The defeat means Guillermo Hoyos’ side are yet to win at their new state of the art $1bn (£736m) Nu stadium. 

X / FOXSoccer

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The result lifts Orlando to 13th in the Eastern Conference with 11 points from as many games, and Miami now sit four points behind leaders Nashville.

Miami have not tasted victory in any of the four games played so far at the new stadium, with three draws and now Saturday’s loss to Orlando. It was just the third time a team has come back from 3-0 down to win in MLS history.

This has left fans claiming that their new stadium is ill-fated.

“Is our new stadium cursed or what,” one fan said.

“At some point they will win a game, but man, this stadium feels cursed for some reason,” a second said, showing signs of optimism.

“Lets go back to Chase Stadium please, I have seen enough,” a third fan added.

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“Not the first win at their new stadium, Inter Miami, your new home ground is cursed, it’s as simple as that,” a fourth commented. 

“An absolute s*** show, this new stadium is really cursed,” a fifth concluded.

Inter Miami’s next chance to win that elusive first home game will be on May 17, where they take on Portland.