It was only the eighth loss in Messi's 53 appearances for IMCF across all competitions. Previously, the worst scorelines with the Argentinian World Cup winner on the pitch were 3-1 defeats to Vancouver in 2025 (Champions Cup), Monterrey in 2024 (Champions Cup) and Atlanta United in 2024 (MLS regular season).

Hlongwane scored his first goal of the season to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute. Hlongwane, who scored a career-high 11 goal last season, slipped behind the defense and perfectly timed his run onto a ball played ahead by Carlos Harvey for a one-touch finish inside the back post from the right corner of the 6-yard box.

In the end, most everyone got what they hoped for at Allianz Field on Saturday. The Loons took down Inter Miami with a comprehensive 4-1 victory. And the Herons’ lone goal was scored by the master himself,