Muriel Magic: Orlando Crushes Miami 4–1 in Florida Derby

By Alonso Contreras

The Florida rivalry delivered an intense and high-paced encounter tonight, with Orlando City showing clinical finishing and defensive resilience to outclass Inter Miami CF 4–1 in a match that featured early goals, tactical adjustments, and a flurry of late drama.

First Half – High tempo from the whistle

The game exploded into life almost instantly. In the 2nd minute, Luis Muriel capitalized on quick interplay, latching onto Martín Ojeda’s incisive pass before slotting home a precise right-footed strike from close range for 1–0 Orlando.

But Inter Miami didn’t take long to respond. Just three minutes later, Yannick Bright fired a low-driven shot from outside the box into the left side netting, leveling the score at 1–1.

From that point on, the first half became a showcase of attacking intent from both sides. Orlando twice struck the woodwork — Muriel’s curling effort in the 20th minute kissed the post, and Alex Freeman caused chaos with a blocked shot inside the area. Miami also threatened, with Luis Suárez and Telasco Segovia both testing Pedro Gallese from dangerous positions.

The first half was not short on physicality either — five yellow cards were shown before halftime as the match heated up. Orlando’s back line, particularly Robin Jansson and César Araújo, engaged in bruising duels with Suárez and Bright.

Half-time: Orlando City 1 – 1 Inter Miami CF.

Second Half – Orlando’s ruthlessness takes over

Whatever was said in the Orlando locker room at the break worked. The home side came out with renewed sharpness and began to dominate possession.

In the 50th minute, Muriel struck again, this time with a composed right-footed finish from the left side of the box, beating Óscar Ustari at his near post for 2–1 Orlando.

Eight minutes later, they doubled the cushion. Ojeda, a constant menace on the right flank, received a clever feed from Muriel, with Robin Jansson providing a secondary assist. Ojeda’s low left-footed shot found the far corner for 3–1.

Miami, chasing the game, brought on Fafà Picault, Benjamín Cremaschi, and Baltasar Rodríguez, but Gallese stood tall, making several key saves — notably denying Picault from close range in the 83rd minute.

Late Flourish – Pašalić seals it

In the dying moments, Marco Pašalić turned on the style. After hitting the post in the 82nd, he finally got his reward in the 88th minute — a curling left-footed strike from the right side of the box into the far corner, making it 4–1.

Even after scoring, Pašalić remained dangerous, forcing another save from Ustari minutes later. Miami’s frustration boiled over in stoppage time, with Luis Suárez drawing fouls but unable to spark a late comeback.

Key Performers

• Luis Muriel (Orlando) – 2 goals, 1 assist, constant threat with his movement and finishing.

• Martín Ojeda (Orlando) – 1 goal, 1 assist, stretched Miami’s defense all night.

• Pedro Gallese (Orlando) – 7 saves, several crucial interventions to keep Miami from closing the gap.

• Óscar Ustari (Miami) – Despite conceding four, kept the scoreline respectable with key saves.

Stat Snapshot

• Possession: Orlando 52% – 48% Miami

• Shots (on target): Orlando 19 (10) – Miami 14 (6)

• xG: Orlando 2.13 – Miami 1.47

• Woodwork: Orlando 2 – Miami 0

• Fouls: 21 combined, 6 yellow cards

Final Verdict:This was a statement win for Orlando City. Their attacking trio of Muriel, Ojeda, and Pašalić was too much for Miami’s back line, and their midfield pressed effectively to force turnovers. Inter Miami had their chances, but wastefulness in front of goal and Gallese’s heroics meant they never got close after falling behind in the second half.

Full-Time: Orlando City 4 – 1 Inter Miami CF.