Inter Miami suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against LAFC in their 2026 Major League Soccer season opener. Lionel Messi‘s team struggled to find inspiration, and their rivals capitalized with goals from David Martinez, Denis Bouanga, and Nathan Ordaz.
During the first half, the hosts clearly dominated the Herons. Backed by a solid defense that neutralized their opponents’ strengths, LAFC recovered the ball far from their own goal and used their attackers’ speed to create dangerous chances.
In that context, Son Heung-min came close to scoring when he faced goalkeeper St. Dayne one-on-one and got past him. However, the South Korean forward ran out of space to finish and passed to Denis Bouanga, whose shot was saved by the keeper. A few minutes later, David Martinez received a pass from Son and fired with precision to score the opener. He came close again soon after, but this time his shot went just wide.
After the break, coach Mascherano made changes to try to turn the team’s performance around, and he partially succeeded. The Herons were better organized on the field and imposed themselves, but lacked accuracy in front of goal and struggled against Bouanga’s speed, who scored the second goal in the 72nd minute after dribbling past goalkeeper St. Clair. In stoppage time, Nathan Ordaz added the third and final goal.
For Inter Miami, it was their first defeat of the 2026 season in their opening match. Their next challenge comes next Sunday against Orlando City. LAFC, meanwhile, will play the second leg of the first round of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Tuesday, looking to maintain their 6-1 advantage from the previous match against Real España.
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We’ve reached the end of the live blog for LAFC’s 3-0 win over Inter Miami on Matchday 1 of the 2026 MLS season. See you next time!
Full-time!
LAFC 3-0 Inter Miami
93’ – GOOOOAAAAL for LAFC!! (3-0)
Ordaz scored the third goal following an assist from Bouanga.
88’ – Son replaced (2-0)
The South Korean star was substituted by Ordaz.
87’ – Inter Miami lucky to escape! (2-0)
Son set up Bouanga, but his shot was cleared off the line.
81’ – Another change for LAFC (2-0)
Boyd came on for Tillman.
80’ – Another substitution for Inter Miami (2-0)
Luis Suarez came on for Mateo Silvetti.
79’ – A yellow card for each side (2-0)
Segovia and Bouanga were booked.
78’ – Allende with a shot! (2-0)
Messi set up Tadeo Allende, but his shot was saved by Lloris.
72’ – GOOOOOAAAAL FOR LAFC! (2-0)
Denis Bouanga capitalized on a mistake by goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and scored the second goal.
68’ – Another change for the Herons (1-0)
Tadeo Allende comes on for Yannick Bright.
68’ – First substitution for LAFC (1-0)
David Martinez is replaced by Mathieu Choiniere.
62’ – Berterame comes close! (1-0)
The Inter Miami forward met a cross from Mura and headed just wide.
59’ – Messi in pain (1-0)
After a collision, the Argentine forward went down, holding his neck in discomfort.
56’ – Inter Miami control the ball (1-0)
Unlike the first half, it’s now the Herons setting the pace of the game, dominating possession.
49’ – Messi tries! (1-0)
The Argentine forward fired from the edge of the box, but the ball went over the crossbar.
46’ – First substitution for Inter Miami (1-0)
Facundo Mura comes on for Ian Fray.
Second half underway!
LAFC lead 1-0 against Inter Miami.
First half ends!
LAFC 1-0 Inter Miami.
51’ – Chance for Messi! (1-0)
Leo fired from outside the box, and the ball went just wide.
50’ – Another chance for Martinez! (1-0)
The Venezuelan forward came close to scoring a goal similar to his opener, but this time his shot went just wide.
47’ – First yellow card (1-0)
Maximiliano Falcon has been shown a yellow card.
45’ – Seven minutes of added time (1-0)
Due to delays during the first half, the referee has added seven minutes.
37’ – GOOOAAAAL FOR LAFC! (1-0)
David Martinez received a pass from Son and finished with a delicate left-footed shot.
33’ – Martinez with a chance (0-0)
The LAFC forward capitalized on a mistake by Fray and fired a shot, but St. Clair controlled the ball.
30’ – The match is frantic! (0-0)
In the past few minutes, both teams have traded counterattacks, but neither ended with a successful finish.
23’ – The Herons start to settle (0-0)
After a difficult start, Inter Miami have begun to take control of the ball in recent minutes and push closer to the opponent’s goal, though they haven’t found much accuracy yet.
16’ – The hosts in control (0-0)
LAFC are dominating possession and preventing Inter Miami’s creative players from linking up effectively.
10’ – Bouanga goes close again (0-0)
The LAFC forward made an impressive individual run that ended with a shot sailing wide of the target.
5’ – Chance for LAFC! (0-0)
Son beat St. Clair and set up Bouanga, but the Inter Miami goalkeeper came up with the save.
2’ – First chance for Inter Miami! (0-0)
Rodrigo De Paul set up Lionel Messi, but the goalkeeper gathered the ball with a quick reaction.
The match has kicked off!
LAFC and Inter Miami are underway in Major League Soccer.
The H2H: Son vs. Messi
Although both have been European soccer stars for years, Son Heung-min and Lionel Messi haven’t faced each other much on the field. The South Korean forward has spent most of his career in England with Tottenham, while Messi did the same with Barcelona.
They only crossed paths in the group stage of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League, with Barcelona earning one win and the other match ending in a draw. In those games, Messi scored twice, while Son recorded an assist for Erik Lamela.
Son talks about Messi
The matchup between LAFC and Inter Miami is also a clash between two of the biggest stars in MLS: Son Heung-min and Lionel Messi. The South Korean forward addressed the topic in the pregame press conference and made it clear that he doesn’t agree with comparisons between the two.
“We all know that he's the best player and he has so many influences on football. But I don't look at a football match as an individual. He's obviously a different level than any other player,” Son said.
Inter Miami confirmed lineup!
Javier Mascherano has decided that the Herons will face LAFC with this XI: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Noah Allen; Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul; Telasco Segovia, Lionel Messi, Mateo Silvetti; German Berterame.
LAFC confirmed lineup!
Coach Marc Dos Santos has chosen the following lineup to face Inter Miami: Hugo Lloris; Sergi Palencia, Ryan Porteous, Nkosi Tafari, Eddie Segura; Stephen Eustaquio, Marco Delgado, Timothy Tillman; David Martinez, Denis Bouanga, Son Heung-min.
Kickoff time and how to watch
LAFC and Inter Miami’s game will begin at 9.30 PM (ET).
You can watch the MLS match live on MLS Season Pass.
LAFC and Inter Miami clash in the MLS
Welcome to our live blog covering the matchup between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami on Matchday 1 of the 2026 Major League Soccer season. Stay with us for all the latest updates and minute-by-minute coverage of the action!
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