messi gefrustreerd na degradatie van inter miami bij lafc
Los Angeles, zondag, 22 februari 2026.
Inter Miami begint het nieuwe mls-seizoen met een daverende 3-0-nederlaag bij lafc. Ondanks de terugkeer van lionel messi na een blessure kon de ploeg geen grip krijgen op de wedstrijd. Son heung-min wordt een sleutelfiguur voor lafc en leidt de aanval met een assist. De wedstrijd trekt een recordaantal toeschouwers: 75.673 in het los angeles memorial coliseum. Het is de op twee na grootste menigte ooit in de mls. Messi blijft frust geraken door het gebrek aan samenhang. Teamgenoot suárez moet hem kalmeren na afloop. De uitdagende balans zonder busquets valt op.
messi’s return ends in frustration as inter miami collapses at lafc
Inter Miami opened the 2026 MLS season with a 3-0 defeat against LAFC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum [1]. Lionel Messi returned from a recent hamstring strain but failed to influence the outcome [1]. The Argentine forward appeared increasingly frustrated by his team’s disjointed performance [1]. Teammate Luis Suárez intervened post-match to calm Messi down after the heavy loss [1]. The absence of retired midfield anchor Sergio Busquets was evident throughout the game [1].
son heung-min orchestrates lafc’s dominant display
Son Heung-min played a pivotal role in LAFC’s commanding victory, providing the assist for David Martínez’s opening goal in the 38th minute [1][6]. His movement and link-up play disrupted Inter Miami’s defensive shape from the outset [6]. Newly appointed LAFC manager Marc Dos Santos secured a statement win in his competitive debut [1]. LAFC’s attacking trio of Martínez, Denis Bouanga, and Nathan Ordaz exploited spaces left by Miami’s unbalanced setup [1].
record-breaking crowd witnesses miami’s midfield crisis
A crowd of 75,673 filled the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, marking the second-largest attendance in MLS history [1][6]. Only one previous match drew more spectators by a margin of one attendee [1][GPT]. The massive turnout underscored the league’s rising profile, driven significantly by Messi’s presence since joining in 2023 [5]. However, Inter Miami’s midfield lacked organization in the absence of Busquets and departed defender Jordi Alba [1][6]. Without structural discipline, Miami struggled to transition from defense to attack [1].
three debutants fail to stabilize miami’s shaky foundation
Coach Javier Mascherano fielded three debutants: Germán Berterame, Micael, and Facundo Mura [6]. None managed to impose control amid LAFC’s relentless pressure [6]. Mura replaced Ian Fray at halftime, signaling immediate tactical adjustments [6]. Even Messi’s occasional bursts of creativity could not unlock LAFC’s compact defensive block [6]. According to Mascherano, the scoreline did not fully reflect the balance of play, though chances favored the hosts [6].
dos santos praises preparation as messi faces physical challenge
LAFC head coach Marc Dos Santos emphasized rigorous pre-match planning focused on neutralizing Messi near the penalty area [6]. His side applied intense physical pressure, limiting Messi’s space and connection with attackers [6]. “We prepared the game against the best Messi possible,” Dos Santos stated, highlighting strategic diligence [6]. Despite dominating possession early, LAFC acknowledged room for improvement in building attacks cohesively [6].
bouanga and ordaz seal emphatic victory in closing stages
After Martínez broke the deadlock, Denis Bouanga doubled LAFC’s advantage in the 73rd minute with a clinical finish [1]. The Gabonese international, fresh off a hat-trick in the Concacaf Champions Cup, continued his scoring form [6]. Nathan Ordaz completed the rout in stoppage time, capitalizing on defensive disarray [1]. With four wins in six encounters, LAFC extended their favorable head-to-head record against Inter Miami [6].