Messi scores late winner as Inter Miami beat New England 2-1

The winner came late, after Miami had been behind

Lionel Messi scored the decisive goal as Inter Miami beat New England Revolution 2-1 on Sunday, 1 November 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts [2] [4]. Most people searching for the match want two answers: did Messi play and score, and what does the result change? The answer to the first is yes. Infobae reports that Messi scored the winning goal and that Miami finished the 2-1 win in second place in the East [4]. The second question is answered by the table, covered further down.

The game was level at 0-0 at half-time [1]. New England took the lead in the 53rd minute through Dániel Gazdag [1] [2]. Miami made two quick substitutions in the 63rd and 64th minutes [2]. Germán Berterame headed the equaliser in the 69th minute, after a scramble involving Messi and Telasco Segovia [2] [1]. Messi's winner came in the 83rd minute [1], about seven minutes from the end [2]. It was a left-footed finish across goal, after he dribbled past Brooklyn Raines [2].

A VAR check in the last minutes

With the score at 1-2, VAVEL's live coverage records a VAR review at 89 minutes. It says the check concerned an incident involving Ian Fray, and that the review was completed with the score standing [1]. Gulf News says the late VAR check did not change the score [2]. Gulf News does not describe what was reviewed, so the point that both reports support is the outcome: Miami won 2-1 at the final whistle. VAVEL's coverage, dated 1 November 2026, posted its full-time update at 9:21 PM ET [1].

Two reports, one scoreline

VAVEL and Gulf News agree on the core sequence of the match: New England led at 53 minutes through Dániel Gazdag, the equaliser came at 69 minutes, and Messi's winner came in the closing stages [1] [2]. Infobae gives the same 2-1 result and the same 59-point position for Miami [4]. Infobae puts Messi's winner in the 82nd minute, while VAVEL gives the 83rd; this article uses the VAVEL timing.

What the win does to the table

Before kickoff, reports said a win would clinch the 2027 Champions Cup place outright [6].

Infobae reports that Inter Miami finished second in the Eastern Conference with 59 points, 15 behind Nashville SC, while New England finished third on 58 [4]. Gulf News says the result tightens the race for top Eastern Conference seeding, with one round of regular-season matches left, and that Miami now sit one point ahead of New England [2]. It also describes New England as being on a four-game winning streak before the match, and as having controlled much of a scoreless first half [2].

How the two sides compared

Gulf News says that by the break New England led 6-3 on shots and 27-11 in dangerous attacks, "but could not break through" [2]. Across the full match, the same report gives New England a 7-1 corner edge, and says Miami committed 16 fouls and collected three yellow cards to the hosts' one [2]. The report gives no half-time figures for corners, fouls or cards, so the corner and card totals above are full-match numbers.

Messi's season in numbers

Infobae puts Messi on 26 goals and 16 assists from 30 matches this season [4]. These are season totals, and the winner at Gillette Stadium is one more entry in that campaign. Gulf News, which covered the match on 2 November, includes no quotes from Messi about the goal [2]. The match report leaves the story to the scoreline and the minutes.

For his full career and the rest of his record, see Lionel Messi.

What to watch next

Miami host Charlotte FC on 7 November, which Gulf News describes as what appears to be their regular-season finale [2]. The same afternoon, Nashville SC finish at FC Cincinnati, a match the club calls Decision Day [5].

Nashville SC tied the MLS record for most points in a single regular season with 74. A win (77 points) or a draw (75 points) at Cincinnati would set a new single-season record [5]. Fans who came to the site for Messi may find that the table, not the goal, is the story to follow in the coming days.