Lionel Messi fires Inter Miami to debut win under new coach - ESPN

Lionel Messi had two goals, including a stunning 79th-minute winner, to give Inter Miami a victory in new interim coach Guillermo Hoyos' first match in charge Saturday.

Mexico striker Germán Berterame also scored as Miami beat the Colorado Rapids 3-2 in front of a crowd of 75,824 — the second-highest attendance in MLS history — at Empower Field at Mile High.

It was Miami's first game since Javier Mascherano stepped down as coach Tuesday, just four months after guiding the club to its first MLS Cup title.

Hoyos, whose relationship with Messi dates back to his time working at Barcelona's renowned La Masia academy more than 20 years ago, was put in charge of the first team for «the upcoming matches,» moving over from his current role of sporting director.

«It has been a beautiful experience because there are players of immense quality here including the greatest player in history,» Hoyos said in a news conference.

«I was excited on many occasions, because football truly is all about that emotion and passion.»

Messi opened the scoring when he converted a penalty kick in the 13th minute, before his late go-ahead goal. After a Colorado turnover near midfield, Messi cut back near the right corner of the penalty box and struck a rising shot that split a pair of defenders and slipped inside the back post.

Messi has seven goals this season, tied with Sam Surridge and Petar Musa for most in MLS.

Asked how he approaches coaching his fellow Argentine and record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, Hoyos responded: «The best coach in the world is actually out there on the pitch. We coaches are merely guides.»

Miami (4-1-3) is now seven games unbeaten and hasn't lost since a season-opening 3-0 defeat to LAFC.

Yannick Bright was shown a