The home team entered the game proactively and soon created notable opportunities. In the 6th minute, Denis Bouanga launched a dangerous shot in the penalty area, but goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair promptly blocked it. The Los Angeles FC striker continued to be a prominent attacking spearhead with more shots, but could not convert them into goals in the first minutes of the match.
Inter Miami also had a noteworthy response in the 21st minute, when Messi assisted Germán Berterame to finish, forcing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to show his talent to save.
The turning point came in the 37th minute after Rodrigo De Paul's miss. Son Heung-min took advantage of the opportunity to assist David Martínez to finish accurately into the low corner, opening the score for Los Angeles FC.
After the break, Inter Miami pushed up the squad to find an equalizer. Messi had a chance in the 50th minute with a shot in the penalty area but the ball went over the crossbar. The next attacks of the away team with the participation of Mateo Silvetti or Facundo Mura could not penetrate the focused defense of Los Angeles FC.
While Inter Miami was still deadlocked, Los Angeles FC organized an effective counter-attack in the 73rd minute. From Timothy Tillman's assist, Bouanga skillfully handled it before finishing to increase the score to 2-0.
In the last minutes of injury time, Nathan Ordaz sealed a 3-0 victory for Los Angeles FC with a close-range finish.
In the end, Inter Miami lost 0-3 to Los Angeles FC in the opening match of MLS 2026, on a day Messi could not make a difference in attack.
