Inter Miami surrender three-goal lead in 3-3 draw with Charlotte FC

Inter Miami threw away a three-goal half-time advantage as Charlotte FC fought back to earn a 3-3 draw in the final game of the Major League Soccer regular season.

Lionel Messi did not score but provided an assist, finishing the season with 26 goals and retaining the MLS Golden Boot for a second successive year – the first player to achieve that in the competition.

Inter Miami appeared to be cruising after goals from Ian Fray, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul gave them a commanding lead before the interval. Suarez’s goal was his 17th of the season.

Fray opened the scoring in the 14th minute after Messi’s corner was inadvertently diverted into the penalty area by Charlotte FC’s Luca de la Torre. The ball fell to Fray, who struck it first time into the net.

Messi delivered another dangerous corner in the 33rd minute. German Berterame headed the ball on towards Suarez, who finished without difficulty.

De Paul then added Inter Miami’s third before half-time, leaving the visitors in a strong position to complete a comfortable victory.

Charlotte FC responded decisively after the break, with Liel Abada scoring twice within five minutes to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

Abada’s first goal came in the 50th minute when he met a cross inside the six-yard box and fired directly into the net. Five minutes later, he exchanged passes with Pep Biel before sending a low shot into the bottom-left corner.

Inter Miami could not hold on, as Rodolfo Aloko completed Charlotte’s comeback in the 90th minute. He reacted quickest to a rebound inside the penalty area to deny Inter Miami victory.

The draw left Inter Miami on 60 points at the end of the regular season, with 16 wins, six draws and 12 defeats.

Their reward is a first-round play-off meeting with Columbus Crew, whose squad includes the injured Wessam Abu Ali. Columbus Crew finished seventh and will have home advantage through to the Eastern Conference final.

Charlotte FC ended the regular season with 54 points from 15 wins, 10 draws and nine defeats. They will face Chicago Fire in the opening round of the play-offs after Chicago secured home advantage.

Nashville won the Supporters’ Shield for collecting the most points during the season. Their total of 77 points was a record, surpassing Inter Miami’s previous mark of 75 set in 2024.

The play-offs now begin to determine the 2026 champion of the United States. They will be followed by an exceptional season in the first half of 2027 before the competition changes to a European-style calendar for the 2027-28 season.