Messi, Suarez score braces as Inter Miami crush DC United 4-0
Synopsis
Messi and Suarez dismantled DC United with a brace apiece at Nu Stadium — a 4-0 statement that extended Inter Miami's unbeaten run against DC United to seven games and pushed Messi's Golden Boot tally to 23 goals for the 2026 MLS regular season.
Key Takeaways
Inter Miami defeated D.C.
United 4-0 at Nu Stadium on 11 October 2026 .
Lionel Messi scored his 22nd and 23rd regular-season goals , extending his 2026 MLS Golden Boot lead.
Luis Suarez netted his 14th and 15th league goals and added his 9th assist of the campaign.
German Berterame recorded two assists ; Rodrigo De Paul contributed his 13th assist of the season.
Goalkeeper Dayne St.
Clair kept a clean sheet, making a key save to deny Tai Baribo in the first half.
The result extended Inter Miami's unbeaten run against D.C.
United to seven matches ( 5 wins, 2 draws ).
Inter Miami CF routed D.C. United 4-0 in MLS regular season action at Nu Stadium on 11 October 2026, powered by braces from captain Lionel Messi and striker Luis Suarez. The dominant home victory returned Inter Miami to winning ways and secured a valuable three points in the league standings.
First Half: Suarez Sets the Tone
Inter Miami wasted no time, with Suarez breaking the deadlock in just the 3rd minute. A cross from Reguilón down the left flank was headed on by German Berterame, finding Suarez unmarked at the centre of the box, where the Uruguayan striker tucked it away with a composed first-time left-footed finish — his 14th league goal of the regular season.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was called into action in the 16th minute, producing a standout save to deny D.C. United's Tai Baribo and keep the sheet clean. Suarez then doubled the lead in the 39th minute, latching onto a headed assist from Berterame inside the penalty area for his 15th regular-season goal. The strike also raised Berterame's assist tally to seven for the campaign.
Second Half: Messi Takes Over
Inter Miami resumed with equal authority after the break. Messi added the third in the 47th minute — his 22nd regular-season goal — converting a precise ball from Suarez with a first-time left-footed strike from the centre of the box. The assist was Suarez's ninth in the league this season, underlining the lethal two-way relationship between the pair.
Messi sealed the rout in the 60th minute with a brilliant solo effort. Receiving a pass from Rodrigo De Paul in midfield, the Argentine captain dribbled past two defenders, drove into the box, and slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner with his left foot — his 23rd goal of the regular season. The goal extended Messi's lead in the 2026 MLS Golden Boot race, while the assist was De Paul's 13th of the campaign.
Clean Sheet and Defensive Solidity
St. Clair was rarely troubled in the second half and completed the clean sheet with a composed display. Berterame finished the match with two assists, cementing his status as one of the team's most influential creative outlets this season. The scoreline remained 4-0 through the final whistle.
Inter Miami's Record Against DC United
The result extended Inter Miami's unbeaten run against D.C. United to seven matches, comprising five wins and two draws. Notably, this dominant display reaffirmed the team's attacking depth, with goals spread across a clinical 57-minute window and the front two combining for all four strikes.
With Messi closing in on individual milestones and the team regaining momentum, Inter Miami will be looking to carry this form into the remaining fixtures of the 2026 MLS regular season.
Point of View
And De Paul quietly building one of the best assist tallies in MLS, Inter Miami are not just winning games; they are making the Golden Boot race and the MLS creative charts a private affair. The deeper story is structural: Berterame's seven assists signal that Miami's creative burden no longer rests solely on the two legends, which matters enormously when the knockout rounds begin. DC United, meanwhile, had no credible answer after Baribo's blocked chance — a sign that the gap between MLS's top tier and the chasing pack remains wide.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Inter Miami and DC United on 11 October 2026?
Inter Miami defeated D.C. United 4-0 in MLS regular season action at Nu Stadium on 11 October 2026. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored two goals each to power the victory.
How many MLS goals does Lionel Messi have in the 2026 regular season?
Messi has scored 23 goals in the 2026 MLS regular season following his brace against DC United. The tally extends his lead in the race for the 2026 MLS Golden Boot.
How did Luis Suarez perform against DC United?
Suarez scored in the 3rd and 39th minutes to complete a brace, taking his regular-season tally to 15 goals and adding his 9th assist of the campaign. He also set up Messi's 22nd goal with a precise pass in the second half.
Who else contributed key stats for Inter Miami in the match?
German Berterame recorded two assists, raising his season tally to seven, while Rodrigo De Paul delivered his 13th assist of the campaign on Messi's second goal. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair kept a clean sheet with a notable save to deny DC United's Tai Baribo.
What is Inter Miami's head-to-head record against DC United?
Inter Miami are now unbeaten in their last seven matches against D.C. United, winning five and drawing two. The 4-0 result on 11 October 2026 was their most emphatic victory in that run.
