Ojeda gets hat trick, Messi and Inter Miami waste 3-0 lead and fall 4-3 to Orlando City

TL;DR

Inter Miami squandered a 3-0 lead against Orlando City, losing 4-3 despite Lionel Messi's contributions. Martin Ojeda scored a hat trick, including the game-winner in stoppage time, ending Miami's 11-match unbeaten streak.

Key points

Inter Miami led 3-0 before losing 4-3
Martin Ojeda scored a hat trick for Orlando City
Lionel Messi had one goal and two assists
Inter Miami's unbeaten streak ended at 11 matches
Orlando City was near the bottom of the MLS standings

Mentioned in this story

Lionel MessiMartin OjedaTyrese SpicerDayne St. Clair

Inter MiamiOrlando City

MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami had a 3-0 lead, against in-state rival Orlando City, on co-owner David Beckham's 51st birthday no less, finally looking poised to get the long-awaited first win on its new home field. Martin Ojeda and Orlando City had other ideas. Ojeda scored three goals, Tyrese Spicer had the go-ahead goal in the third minute of stoppage time and Orlando City stunned Inter Miami 4-3 on Saturday night — ending the reigning MLS champions' 11-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. Messi had a goal and two assists in his 100th appearance for the club, and somehow, that wasn't enough against a team that came into the night near the bottom of the MLS standings. Inter Miami fell to 0-1-3 at its new stadium. Ian Fray and Telasco Segovia also scored for Inter Miami, which was unbeaten (5-0-6) in its last 11 matches across all competitions and its last nine matches (5-0-4) in MLS play. Orlando City (3-7-1) had won only two of its last 15 MLS matches — including playoffs — dating to last season. Orlando City also was 0-4-1 on the road in MLS play this season. None of that mattered. Ojeda scored in the 39th minute to send Orlando into the half down 3-1. He scored again in the 68th minute to make matters interesting. Too interesting from the Inter Miami perspective. Ojeda had a great chance to tie it in the 73rd minute, alone on the right side of the box. But Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair came well off his line and made a point-blank save to keep the score 3-2. Ojeda wouldn't be denied, connecting on a penalty kick in the 78th minute to tie things up at 3-3. He had another chance in the 80th minute, with St. Clair stopping that one with his face — yes, his face — to keep the match tied. Spicer eventually got the go-ahead goal for the visitors, Messi and the Herons kept arguing over what they felt were missed calls, and time ran out. Inter Miami has four matches left before MLS’ seven-week stoppage for the FIFA World Cup begins. None of those looming opponents — Toronto, Cincinnati, Portland and Philadelphia — was over the .500 mark entering Saturday. \\_ AP soccer:

Q&A

What were the key moments in the Inter Miami vs Orlando City match?

Inter Miami led 3-0 before Martin Ojeda scored three goals for Orlando City, including the winner in stoppage time.

How did Lionel Messi perform in the match against Orlando City?

Lionel Messi scored one goal and provided two assists in his 100th appearance for Inter Miami.

What does this loss mean for Inter Miami's season?

The loss leaves Inter Miami at 0-1-3 at their new stadium and ends their 11-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Ojeda gets hat trick, Messi and Inter Miami waste 3-0 lead and fall 4-3 to Orlando City

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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