Inter Miami and Philadelphia Set MLS Record
In the MLS regular season match, Inter Miami defeated Philadelphia Union (6-4). The teams scored 8 goals in the first half, making it the highest-scoring half in league history, while Luis Suarez and Milan Iloski each recorded a hat-trick.
Main Event
Eight-goal crazy first half and two hat-tricks: Inter Miami wins the wildest shootout in MLS history!
On the night of May 25, 2026, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a Matchday 15 regular season Major League Soccer match took place that has already gone down in league history. Inter Miami, under Javier Mascherano, defeated Philadelphia Union 6-4. But the main story isn't just the final score, but how the game unfolded: the teams scored 8 (eight!) goals in the first half, setting an absolute MLS record for most goals in a single half in league history (since 1996).
The first half, which lasted nearly an hour including stoppage time, ended 4-4. It was a true thriller with six lead changes, two converted penalties, and fantastic solo performances from two forwards — Uruguay's Luis Suarez and American Milan Iloski, each of whom scored a hat-trick.
Details and Statistics
The match started as a nightmare for the hosts. In the 3rd minute, Milan Iloski opened the scoring, and in the 10th minute he converted a penalty, giving Philadelphia a 0-2 lead on the road. In the 13th minute, Lionel Messi provided his first assist to Herman Berterame, who cut the deficit to 1-2. But immediately, in the 20th minute, Bruno Damiani scored the visitors' third goal — 1-3.
It seemed Inter Miami was falling apart, but in the 29th minute, Luis Suarez began his show: after a cross from Ian Fray, he controlled the ball with his chest and volleyed a scissor kick while falling — 2-3, one of the season's most beautiful goals. In the 41st minute, Messi again assisted Berterame — 3-3. And in the 44th minute, Suarez finished off a rebound after a shot by De Paul, giving Inter Miami its first lead — 4-3.
In first-half stoppage time (45+8), the referee, after consulting VAR, awarded a penalty for a handball by Sergio Reguilon. Milan Iloski calmly completed his hat-trick from the spot, leveling the score at 4-4 at halftime.
In the second half, the pace was frantic, but there were fewer goals. In the 71st minute, a shocking moment occurred: Lionel Messi, who had a brilliant match (2 assists), asked to be substituted. He left the field holding the back of his left thigh and went straight to the locker room.
Despite losing their leader, in the 81st minute, Berterame delivered a perfect pass, and Suarez scored his third goal of the match, completing his hat-trick — 5-4. The final point in this madness came in the 93rd minute when Rodrigo De Paul scored the sixth goal after a quick counterattack — 6-4.
Hat-trick statistics:
- Luis Suarez (Inter Miami): 3 goals (29', 44', 81') + hat-trick at age 39.
- Milan Iloski (Philadelphia Union): 3 goals (3', 10' penalty, 45+8' penalty). The former FC Nordsjælland player was a nightmare for the home defense.
Context and Significance
This match will go down in history not only as Suarez's showcase. 8 goals in the first half is an absolute MLS record since the league's founding in 1996. Previous achievements pale in comparison to this fireworks display. Additionally, this is only the second time in league history that two players have scored hat-tricks in the same match.
For Inter Miami, this victory was their fourth consecutive league win. The club has 31 points and moved up to 2nd place in the Eastern Conference (according to other data, 41 points including allocations), continuing their pursuit of the leader. For Philadelphia, this defeat leaves the team in last place (15th) with 7 points — a disastrous season.
The situation is particularly tense due to concern over Lionel Messi. Just 18 days before the start of the 2026 World Cup (Argentina's first match is June 17), the national team captain felt muscle tightness. Mascherano substituted him as a precaution, but the incident caused panic throughout Argentina.
What's Next
For Inter Miami, this was their last match before a long MLS break due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico (June 11 to July 19). The league pauses during the tournament, and clubs will return to action only in the second half of July.
Inter Miami's next match will take place only after the World Cup.
Editorial Prediction
Due to the World Cup break, a prediction for Inter Miami's next match is pointless — it will take place in two months. However, the key storyline is Lionel Messi's health. If the thigh injury turns out to be serious (medical results are expected within 24 hours), it would be a disaster not only for the club but also for the Argentina national team ahead of the upcoming tournament. For now, sources report only muscle tightness, and fans hope Messi simply decided to play it safe before the main event of the four-year cycle. Inter Miami, in any case, goes into the break as the leader of the race, but losing Messi for an extended period would dash their championship ambitions.
— Editorial Team
