Thrilling Comeback: FC Dallas Overcomes Inter Miami in a 4-3 Victory

Pedro Martins proved to be the hero of the night as he scored the decisive goal and also assisted in the tying goal, leading FC Dallas to an exhilarating 4-3 comeback against host Inter Miami on Sunday night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

With this victory, FC Dallas (now 4-3-3 with 15 points) managed to overturn a 3-1 deficit with a spectacular three-goal surge in just 17 minutes, capturing their first win since March 29.

For Inter Miami, led by Javier Mascherano, this marks their first defeat of the MLS season.

Reflecting on the match, Mascherano acknowledged the challenging nature of the game: “For a period of 60-65 minutes, we performed well, bouncing back after conceding the first goal, which isn’t easy,” he admitted post-match. “However, I take full responsibility for the loss. My reading of the game was flawed, and I couldn’t support the team effectively as we shifted to a five-man defense. Some tactical changes I made didn’t achieve the desired result.”

He continued, “It’s part of the game, and accepting it is crucial—that’s the reality.”

Martins’ winning goal came in the 81st minute when he skillfully slipped the ball past Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender, thanks to an assist from Logan Farrington. This goal shocked a Miami lineup that was missing key players Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, who all sat out following a 2-0 loss at Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals. Inter Miami is set to face the second leg on Wednesday.

In the match against Dallas, Miami started only one player, Maxi Falcon, who was on the field against Vancouver, including a change in goalkeeper, with Callender making his second start over Oscar Ustari.

Leading up to this game, Dallas hadn’t scored in their last two matches.

Hector Martinez gave Inter Miami a two-goal lead in the 56th minute with a left-footed shot that ricocheted off the far post and into the net.

Osaze Urhoghide quickly responded in the 64th minute by driving a right-footed shot past Callender from the center of the box.

Martins then set up Anderson Julio with a long pass downfield, which Julio seized, scoring on the run past Callender to tie the game 3-3 in the 69th minute.

Earlier in the match, Dallas had an early advantage when Shaq Moore scored in the eighth minute, but Inter Miami’s Fafa Picault equalized at the 16th minute, capitalizing on a rebound.

In a stunning moment for Miami, 18-year-old Ecuadorian Allen Obando put his team ahead 2-1 in the 29th minute. He netted his first MLS career goal, with an assist from Ian Fray, during what was his starting debut.