Inter Miami Collapse Without Messi as FC Dallas Snatches Shocking 4-3 Win

Lionel Messi could only watch from the sidelines as Inter Miami threw away a commanding two-goal lead, losing 4-3 to FC Dallas in a thrilling but painful Sunday night encounter.

Manager Javier Mascherano made the bold decision to rest several key players — including Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez — with eyes set firmly on a crucial CONCACAF Champions Cup match midweek. But the gamble backfired spectacularly.

Despite racing to a 3-1 advantage, Inter Miami fell apart in the final stages, conceding three unanswered goals and suffering their first loss of the 2025 MLS season. They now drop to fifth place in the Eastern Conference, sitting on 18 points.

After the match, Mascherano was quick to shoulder the blame.
"It’s not easy. We played a very good game for 65 minutes and managed to come back, but unfortunately, I made a mistake in reading the match, and in the end, I couldn’t help the players. I made some decisions that weren’t right," he admitted.

Our Take:
While rotation is necessary in a packed schedule, benching an entire core of world-class stars was a dangerous call — and it cost Miami dearly. Mascherano’s honesty is refreshing, but fans are left wondering: was the risk truly worth it? Losing momentum in the MLS could prove costly, especially with rivals gaining ground.

The good news? With Messi and the veterans set to return midweek, Inter Miami has the firepower to bounce back — but Mascherano might not have much margin for error left.

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