Lionel Messi’s goal — which won’t make any of his career highlight reels — gave Loons fans a thrill (and a scare) when he slotted in a shot to cut MNUFC’s lead to 2-1 in the 48th minute. MNUFC (6-2-4, 22 points) went on to nullify the threat with two more goals and hand Miami (6-2-3, 21 points) only its second loss on the season.

Hlongwane scored his first goal of the season to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute. Hlongwane, who scored a career-high 11 goal last season, slipped behind the defense and perfectly timed his run onto a ball played ahead by Carlos Harvey for a one-touch finish inside the back post from the right corner of the 6-yard box.

Lionel Messi scored but Inter Miami suffered a comprehensive 4-1 defeat by Major League Soccer rivals Minnesota United. Goals from Bongokuhle Hlongwane just after the half-hour and Anthony Markanich on the stroke of half-time set Miami on the path to a fourth defeat in their last five matches in all competitions.