Messi Makes MLS History: Inter Miami Stuns New England Revolution 2–1 in Foxborough Thriller
July 7, 2025 | MLS Match Report | Gillette Stadium
A Night of Magic and Momentum in MLS
Saturday night under the floodlights of Gillette Stadium was no ordinary evening in Major League Soccer. It was a spectacle. A record-breaking crowd of 65,612 fans turned up in Foxborough to witness a clash between two very different teams—Inter Miami CF, the flashiest side in the league led by the iconic Lionel Messi, and the blue-collar New England Revolution, determined to protect their home turf.
In the end, it was Messi who once again stole the headlines. With two masterful goals—including the match-winner in the 68th minute—Messi not only led Inter Miami to a dramatic 2–1 comeback victory but also etched his name deeper into MLS lore, setting a new record for the fastest player to reach 10 goals in a single season.
It was a night that reminded American soccer fans—and the world—why MLS is becoming a league of global relevance.
First Half: New England’s Fast Start Catches Miami Off Guard
From the opening whistle, the Revolution came out firing. Spurred on by the roaring crowd, New England pressed high, forcing Miami into awkward passes and defensive errors.
Their aggression paid off almost immediately.
1st minute: Goal – Carles Gil (New England Revolution)
In a stunning sequence right off kickoff, New England’s talisman Carles Gil capitalized on a misplaced backpass by Tomas Aviles . Intercepting the ball at the edge of the box, Gil took a touch past goalkeeper Drake Callender and calmly slotted it into the net. It was the earliest goal in the Revolution’s 2025 campaign—and a gut punch to Miami.
The early lead electrified the stadium. Gillette buzzed with belief as chants of “Revs! Revs!” echoed across the stands.
For the next 20 minutes, Inter Miami struggled to get a foothold. Their midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Diego Gomez, and Benjamin Cremaschi was overwhelmed by New England’s high pressing and quick transitions.
Key Stat (20 minutes):
- Possession: NE 58% – MIA 42%
- Pass Accuracy: NE 86% – MIA 77%
But Miami had a not-so-secret weapon on the field—and as time ticked, Lionel Messi began to exert his influence.
Messi Answers: A Moment of Genius Before Halftime
Great players don’t just play matches. They change them.
As the first half wore on, Messi dropped deeper into midfield, seeking the ball and drawing defenders out of position. His understanding with Jordi Alba, forged through years at FC Barcelona, became increasingly evident.
32nd minute: Goal – Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
After receiving the ball from Busquets in the middle third, Messi threaded a diagonal pass to Alba on the left wing. The Spanish fullback returned the ball with a slick one-touch layoff just outside the penalty area. Messi took two touches and curled a low shot into the far corner, beyond the outstretched arms of New England keeper Henrich Ravas.
1–1. Game on.
Not only did this equalizer shift the mood on the pitch, but it also marked Messi’s 10th goal of the MLS season—a league record for fastest double-digit scoring in just nine appearances.
The goal also carried an extra weight: it was Messi’s 800th career club goal across all competitions, an astonishing milestone that left even rival fans applauding in admiration.
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Tactical Shift: Martino’s Halftime Masterstroke
During the break, Miami’s head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino made two crucial changes that would define the second half:
- Robert Taylor was pushed wider on the right flank, stretching New England’s defense.
- Busquets was given more freedom to operate deeper, essentially becoming a libero in midfield to dictate tempo.
The impact was immediate.
From the 46th to the 65th minute, Miami enjoyed near-total control of the ball. The Revolution’s press, so effective early on, began to tire. Miami’s intricate triangle passes—especially involving Cremaschi, Alba, and Messi—carved through New England lines.
Key Stat (Second Half, 46’–70’):
- Passes Completed: MIA 215 – NE 88
- Possession: MIA 70% – NE 30%
- Chances Created: MIA 6 – NE 1
The Decisive Goal: Messi Seals the Night
68th minute: Goal – Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
The decisive moment came after a prolonged spell of possession. Taylor collected the ball on the wing, danced past two defenders, and spotted Messi hovering at the top of the box. One pinpoint cutback later, Messi took a single touch and curled a magnificent shot into the top-right corner.
2–1, Inter Miami.
Pandemonium.
The goal sent shockwaves across Gillette. A stunned silence was followed by something rare in sports—opposing fans standing to applaud a visiting player. Even Revolution die-hards couldn’t deny they’d witnessed greatness.
Messi by the Numbers: Record-Breaker, History-Maker
With this performance, Messi added more accolades to his ever-growing MLS legacy:
- Fastest to 10 goals in MLS history: 9 games
- First player to score multiple braces in 4 consecutive MLS matches
- Most goals + assists combined in first 10 MLS games: 16 (10G, 6A )
- Inter Miami is undefeated (7W , 2D) when Messi scores
MLS Commissioner Don Garber released a post-match statement:
“Lionel Messi’s impact goes far beyond the pitch. Tonight is a watershed moment for soccer in the United States.”
Inter Miami: Title Contenders in Full Bloom
After a shaky start to the 2025 season, Inter Miami now sits top of the Eastern Conference with 38 points from 18 games. The Messi- Busquets-Alba trio has brought a level of composure and creativity unseen in the league.
Key Contributors This Season:
- Messi: 10 goals, 6 assists
- Busquets: 93% pass accuracy, 5 key passes/game
- Cremaschi: Breakout star, 4 goals, 7 assists
- Drake Callender: 5 clean sheets, 2.1 saves/game
Coach Martino, post-match, was reflective:
“We are not just a team. We are building a culture. And Lionel—he is the heartbeat of it.”
New England’s Takeaway: A Performance to Build On
Despite the loss, New England showed grit and quality. Carles Gil was outstanding in the first half, and defender Henry Kessler made crucial tackles to keep the scoreline close.
Key Stats (New England):
- Gil: 1 goal, 3 chances created
- Kessler: 5 clearances, 3 interceptions
- Ravas: 7 saves
Coach Caleb Porter post-match:
“We gave it everything. Messi was the difference. But this is a performance we can be proud of.”
The Revolution remains mid-table but within striking distance of a playoff spot.
The Bigger Picture: MLS and the Messi Effect
This match wasn’t just a win for Miami—it was a win for Major League Soccer.
- Attendance: 65,612 – a record crowd for Gillette Stadium, the highest ever for a Revolution home game.
- Broadcast: The game was streamed live to over 75 countries, drawing tens of millions in global viewership.
- Merchandise: Inter Miami kits sold out at the venue within the first half.
MLS social engagement peaked during Messi’s second goal—over 4.3 million live mentions within 10 minutes.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams?
Inter Miami:
- Upcoming match: vs. Orlando City (July 13)
- Eyes on the Supporters’ Shield and playoff dominance
- Messi’s fitness will be managed carefully to preserve his peak form for the postseason
New England Revolution:
- Next fixture: at Toronto FC (July 14)
- Need to convert strong home form into road results
- Injuries to keep an eye on: Brandon Bye and DeJuan Jones both left the game with knocks
Final Word: A Historic Night in American Soccer
There are moments in sports that transcend the scoreboard. Saturday night at Gillette Stadium was one of them.
Lionel Messi didn’t just win a soccer match. He gave a masterclass on how legends perform when it matters most. Two goals, a comeback, and another chapter in a story that MLS fans will tell for generations.
As fans filed out of the stadium, you could hear them—New Englanders in Patriots jerseys, Inter Miami die-hards in pink, and kids clutching Messi scarves—all saying the same thing:
“I was there the night Messi made history.”
Reviewed by ap2k.in
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July 10, 2025
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