Orlando City Crushes Inter Miami 4-1 in ‘Sunshine Clasico’ Without Messi

PRESSBEE - Sport
Orlando City Crushes Inter Miami 4-1 in ‘Sunshine Clasico’ Without Messi

By Abdulrahman Samer – Pressbee News

Orlando, Florida — August 11, 2025 — In a night of relentless attacking power and complete dominance, Orlando City thrashed Inter Miami 4-1 in a thrilling Major League Soccer showdown dubbed the “Sunshine Clasico”.

Colombian forward Luis Muriel was the undisputed star, netting two goals and providing an assist as Orlando dismantled their Florida rivals.

     

    Match Highlights

    • 2nd minute — Muriel opened the scoring for Orlando with a precise finish after a perfectly timed pass from Martín Ojeda.

    • 5th minute — Yannick Bright equalized for Inter Miami with a stunning long-range strike.

    • 50th minute — Muriel struck again, weaving past Jordi Alba before firing a clinical shot.

    • 58th minute — Ojeda extended Orlando’s lead, capitalizing on a clever assist from Muriel.

    • 88th minute — Marko Pjaca sealed the win with a close-range rebound goal.

     

    Tactical Breakdown

    From the opening whistle, Orlando City pressed high and attacked with intent, exposing Inter Miami’s defensive weaknesses. Despite moments of fight, Miami struggled to cope with Orlando’s intensity, especially in the absence of Lionel Messi, who missed the match due to injury.

    Muriel’s combination of pace, skill, and decision-making proved too much for Miami’s back line, while Ojeda’s creativity added an extra edge to Orlando’s offense.

     

    Post-Match Reactions

    • Muriel’s performance drew praise from fans and pundits, with many calling it one of his finest MLS displays.

    • Messi’s absence left a visible void for Miami, forcing the team to rely heavily on Bright and other supporting players.

     

    What This Means for the Standings

    • Orlando City — Boosts their chances in the race for a top playoff spot with a morale-boosting victory.

    • Inter Miami — Suffers a setback in their push for the top of the table, with urgent defensive adjustments needed.

    Apple Storegoogle play

    Last updated :

    Also on site :