Micael's fine header saw Inter Miami move up to third in the Eastern Conference after they emerged 3-2 victors against fellow high-flyers New York City FC on Sunday.
2026 Major League Soccer
2-3
Match Report
Having been eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions Cup in midweek, Javier Mascherano's side responded in style to extend their unbeaten MLS run to four matches.
Miami got themselves ahead in the third minute via Gonzalo Lujan, who sent a first-time effort into the bottom-right corner after Telasco Segovia's blocked shot fell into his path.
But New York restored parity 14 minutes later in stunning fashion as Nicolas Fernandez curled a sensational free-kick off the underside of the crossbar and in.
Lionel Messi was then denied twice by the woodwork at the end of the first half, his second attempt seeing him cut inside and curl a shot that cannoned against the top of the bar.
Pascal Jansen's hosts made the most of those reprieves just before the hour mark, when Agustin Ojeda curled home after being played in behind by Maxi Moralez's clever pass.
But their lead lasted for just two minutes, with Messi's free-kick from distance finding its way past Matt Freese after it took a wicked deflection off a New York defender in the wall.
There was to be more drama at Yankee Stadium when Micael expertly headed Noah Allen's cross to the back post into the opposite corner, which proved to be the decisive blow.
Data Debrief: Magic Messi helps Miami bounce back
After missing Miami's goalless draw with Charlotte FC last time out, Messi once again highlighted his importance to the Herons with another brilliant display that saw his team rise to the occasion against a tough opponent.
The Argentine finished with team-high totals for shots (nine), touches in the opposition box (eight), attempted dribbles (seven) and passes in the final third (21), while only David Ayala (eight) had more final-third entries than Messi's seven.
But in a tightly-contested affair, Miami will know their chances should have merited a more handsome margin of victory. They finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.46 from their 22 shots, compared to NYCFC's 1.28 from 11 attempts.
Match Events
1' Highlight from New York City vs Inter Miami CF
3' GOAL! New York City 0-1 Inter Miami CF (Gonzalo Luján)
7' Match Event for New York City vs Inter Miami CF
9' Match Event for New York City vs Inter Miami CF
17' GOAL! New York City 1-1 Inter Miami CF (Nicolás Fernández Mercau)
22' Highlight from New York City vs Inter Miami CF
27' Match Event for New York City vs Inter Miami CF
35' Highlight from New York City vs Inter Miami CF
59' GOAL! New York City 2-1 Inter Miami CF (Agustín Ojeda)
61' GOAL! New York City 2-2 Inter Miami CF (Lionel Messi)
72' Match Event for New York City vs Inter Miami CF
74' GOAL! New York City 2-3 Inter Miami CF (Micael)
78' Match Event for New York City vs Inter Miami CF
83' Highlight from New York City vs Inter Miami CF
Line-ups
New York City XI: Maxi Moralez, Thiago Martins, Keaton Parks, Wolf, Kevin O'Toole, Aiden O'Neill, Matt Freese, Kai Trewin, Tayvon Gray, Nicolás Fernández Mercau, Agustín Ojeda
Subs: Tomás Romero, Strahinja Tanasijević, Raul Gustavo, Talles Magno, Máximo Carrizo, Jonathan Shore, Drew Baiera, Seymour Reid, Nico Cavallo
Inter Miami CF XI: Messi, Dayne St. Clair, David Ayala, Telasco Segovia, Tadeo Allende, Gonzalo Luján, Micael, Ian Fray, Noah Allen, Yannick Bright, Mateo Silvetti
Subs: Suarez, Germán Berterame, Rocco Ríos Novo, Facundo Mura, David Ruíz, Ezequiel Abadia-Reda, Santiago Morales, Dániel Pintér, Alexander Shaw