Inter Miami vs D.C. United

Inter Miami put on a statement performance at home, brushing aside DC United 4-0 in a match that was effectively over before halftime. The standout moment came early, with the hosts racing out of the gate and never letting up, turning what looked like a competitive fixture into a one-sided show within the opening 40 minutes. Luis Suarez set the tone, striking in the 3rd minute and again in the 38th to put Inter Miami firmly in control before the break. The second half belonged to Lionel Messi, playing his first match since stepping away from international football with Argentina, who struck in the 48th minute and capped the rout with a dazzling solo goal in the 60th, dribbling past several defenders before finishing with his trademark composure. The win keeps Inter Miami entrenched in second place in the Eastern Conference, with Messi's brace pushing him further ahead in the MLS Golden Boot race. For DC United, mired in 11th place, the lopsided scoreline only reinforced the gap between the league's elite and the mid-table pack.