Inter Miami 3–2 D.C. United: Player Ratings As Messi Takes Golden Boot Lead

Lionel Messi had two goals and an assist as Inter Miami CF secured a second consecutive win with a 3–2 victory over D.C. United on Saturday night.

With a short bench and a pair of 2007-born players included in the matchday squad, Miami relied on its veteran core to lead the way. After a shaky start in net by 38-year-old Oscar Ustari, he found his footing and allowed the Herons to play more confidently going forward.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 36th minute when Messi dropped back into space in his defensive half of midfield, before launching a perfect, curled long ball up to Tadeo Allende, who made no mistake on a first-touch finish after beating his defender.

What a long ball from Messi 👀

Tadeo Allende strikes to open the scoring for @InterMiamiCF. pic.twitter.com/lHNoS3rcI7
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 21, 2025

D.C. United drew level in the 53rd minute with a goal from former Premier League star Christian Benteke, but the tied scoreline was short-lived.

Messi scored his first goal in the 66th minute with a slick turn at the top of the box after a through ball from Jordi Alba, and added his second of the night as Miami’s eventual winning goal with a curled strike from distance in the 85th minute.

Messi's left foot is magical 💫 pic.twitter.com/Rn7ssoM5UP
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 21, 2025

After taking the lead, Miami struggled to defend, with Benteke picking apart the Herons’ midfield and threading a pass through to Jacob Murrell to bring D.C. within a goal, albeit too late to grab any points.

A win could have helped the Herons clinch an MLS Cup Playoff spot, but they will have to wait a while longer, as the New York Red Bulls defeated CF Montréal, and Miami needed a Red Bulls loss or draw.

While the postseason assurance will have to wait, Messi surpassed Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge for the MLS Golden Boot race, with 22 goals to Surridge's 21.

Here are the player ratings from the matchup.