Messi Brace Edges Five-Goal Thriller as Internacional CF Miami Beat Colorado Rapids
Lionel Messi delivered a decisive brace as Internacional CF Miami earned a dramatic 3–2 win over Colorado Rapids SC in MLS regular-season action on matchday 8 (18 April 2026).
The visitors took control early when Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 18th minute, calmly converting to make it 1–0 after Colorado had already seen Joshua Atencio booked a minute earlier.
Miami doubled their lead deep into first-half stoppage time. In the 45+5th minute, Germán Berterame finished a move created by Mateo Silvetti, whose assist set up a precise strike for 2–0. Berterame went into the book shortly after, one of several Miami players cautioned in a heated opening period that also saw yellows for Rodrigo de Paul and Micael.
Colorado responded strongly after the break. In the 58th minute, Rafael Navarro pulled one back, converting a chance created by Wayne Frederick. Just four minutes later, substitute Darren Yapi, introduced on 61 minutes for Hamzat Ojediran, completed the comeback to 2–2 with a well-taken finish from a Lucas Herrington assist.
The match remained open and physical, with further cautions for Frederick and Herrington as Colorado pushed for a winner. Instead, it was Messi who restored Miami’s lead in the 79th minute, sweeping home after good work from Rodrigo de Paul to make it 3–2.
Miami’s task was complicated when Yannick Bright received a straight red card in the 87th minute, forcing the visitors to defend their lead with ten men. Messi and Colorado’s Jackson Travis were both booked in stoppage time as tensions rose, but the scoreline held.
Both coaches turned to their benches late on, with multiple substitutions for game management. No detailed data was provided on shots, possession, or other statistics beyond goals, cards, and substitutions.
The result gives Internacional CF Miami a valuable away win in the MLS, while Colorado Rapids SC are left to reflect on a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful comeback. Full match details and data are available at Ballaxy.
MLS Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nashville SC
|
10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 23 | D W W W L |
| 2 |
New England Revolution
|
10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 19 | W D W W W |
| 3 |
Internacional CF Miami
|
11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 19 | 3 | 19 | L D W W D |
| 4 |
Chicago Fire FC
|
10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 17 | L W D W W |
| 5 |
D.C. United SC
|
11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 15 | W W D D L |
| 6 |
FC Cincinnati
|
11 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 25 | -3 | 15 | W W D D D |
| 7 |
Charlotte FC
|
11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 19 | -1 | 14 | L L L W L |
| 8 |
Toronto FC
|
11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 14 | D L D D D |
| 9 |
New York City FC
|
11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 12 | L L D L L |
| 10 |
Columbus Crew SC
|
11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 12 | L W W L D |
| 11 |
New York Red Bulls
|
11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 27 | -11 | 12 | L L D L D |
| 12 |
Atlanta United FC
|
11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 10 | W W L L L |
| 13 |
Orlando City SC
|
11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 32 | -16 | 10 | W L W L D |
| 14 |
Montreal Impact FC
|
10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 23 | -9 | 9 | L W W L L |
| 15 |
Philadelphia Union
|
11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 17 | -8 | 6 | D L D D W |
| 1 |
San Jose Earthquakes
|
11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 7 | 19 | 28 | D W W W W |
| 2 |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
|
10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 6 | 20 | 25 | D W W W W |
| 3 |
Los Angeles FC
|
11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 21 | D W D L L |
| 4 |
Seattle Sounders FC
|
9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 20 | D W W W |
| 5 |
Minnesota United FC
|
11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 20 | W L W W W |
| 6 |
Real Salt Lake
|
10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 19 | W L L W W |
| 7 |
FC Dallas
|
11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 16 | W L L D D |
| 8 |
Houston Dynamo
|
10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 18 | -5 | 15 | W L W W L |
| 9 |
Colorado Rapids SC
|
11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 22 | 19 | 3 | 13 | L L D L W |
| 10 |
Los Angeles Galaxy
|
11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 13 | D W L D W |
| 11 |
Austin FC
|
11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 19 | -3 | 13 | W W L D L |
| 12 |
San Diego FC
|
11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 12 | D L L L L |
| 13 |
Portland Timbers
|
10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 21 | -8 | 10 | L W L W L |
| 14 |
St. Louis City
|
10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 18 | -9 | 6 | L L L D D |
| 15 |
Sporting Kansas City
|
10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 26 | -18 | 5 | D L L L L |
