San Jose Earthquakes 3–3 Inter Miami CF — A Six-Goal Thriller Ends in Stalemate at PayPal Park

By Alonso Contreras

San Jose, CA — In one of the most chaotic and exhilarating fixtures of the MLS season, San Jose Earthquakes and Inter Miami CF played out a breathless 3–3 draw at PayPal Park. The game saw goals, drama, inspired performances, and relentless tempo from the opening whistle to the final kick.

First Half: Lightning Strikes Twice… Then Again and Again

The match began with a thunderclap from Inter Miami. In the 1st minute, veteran left-back Jordi Alba delivered a trademark curling cross off a corner taken by Telasco Segovia, finding the towering Maximiliano Falcón, who rose above the defense and powered a header into the upper right-central netting (xG 27%). A dream start for Miami on the road.

But San Jose would not be rattled. Just two minutes later, Cristian Espinoza slipped a clever ball into the box for Cristian Arango, who made no mistake with a low, clinical finish to the bottom left corner (xG 32%). Just like that, it was 1–1 inside three minutes.

The tempo remained frenetic, with both sides testing goalkeepers Oscar Ustari and Daniel De Sousa Britto. Lionel Messi missed narrowly from close range (19’), while San Jose began to find space with overlapping fullbacks and Espinoza’s sharp deliveries.

In the 37th minute, Beau Leroux produced a moment of magic, curling a right-footed shot from outside the box past Ustari into the bottom corner (xG 5%) to give the hosts a 2–1 lead. But before San Jose could take their lead into halftime, Tadeo Allende had his say.

In the 44th minute, the Argentine forward latched onto a loose ball in the area and fired a laser to the top center of the net (xG 52%), leveling the match at 2–2. The half wasn’t done yet.

Just before the break (45+4’), San Jose capitalized on space at the top of the box, with Ian Harkes sweeping a composed left-footed strike to the bottom left corner (xG 7%), capping off a frantic first 45 minutes with the Earthquakes leading 3–2.

Second Half: Miami’s Patience Pays Off

The second half began with Inter Miami chasing the game but showing discipline. The midfield duo of Busquets and Redondo regained composure, recycling possession and probing wide areas. Meanwhile, San Jose’s backline, which had shown cracks in the first half, began to creak under pressure again.

After a series of offside calls and wasted half-chances, the breakthrough came in the 52nd minute. A quick exchange between Lionel Messi, Baltasar Rodríguez, and finally Tadeo Allende carved open the San Jose defense. Allende coolly slotted home a left-footed finish (xG 98%) to make it 3–3, completing his brace and sending the Miami bench into celebrations.

From then on, both sides traded blows like prizefighters. Josef Martínez’s entrance for San Jose added bite, and he nearly scored in the 78th minute, but Oscar Ustari denied him with a reflex save.

Miami responded with Messi magic: in the 90+2’, the Argentine maestro had two quick efforts—first a blocked shot from close range, then a curling effort that forced a sharp save from De Sousa Britto.

San Jose had one last chance in stoppage time (90+5'), but Hernán López’s ambitious strike drifted wide of the post, ensuring both sides would walk away with a point in this six-goal thriller.

Player of the Match: Tadeo Allende (Inter Miami CF)

Two goals in crucial moments, excellent movement, and sharp finishing. Allende was Miami’s most decisive weapon, displaying poise under pressure and clinical instincts.

Key Match Stats:

• Goals: SJ 3 – 3 MIA

• xG: SJ 1.75 – 2.11 MIA

• Shots on Target: SJ 6 – 7 MIA

• Possession: SJ 47% – 53% MIA

• Fouls: SJ 18 – 16 MIA

• Yellow Cards: SJ 4 – 2 MIA

• Corners: SJ 9 – 5 MIA

• Offsides: SJ 5 – 4 MIA

Tactical Observations:

• Inter Miami’s switch to a narrower midfield in the second half helped them dominate centrally and force San Jose wide.

• San Jose’s transitions were excellent in the first half, but they failed to maintain the same energy post-60 minutes.

• Messi operated deeper in the second half, drawing defenders and allowing Allende to flourish in forward positions.

Final Whistle Thoughts:

This was MLS at its best. Explosive, unpredictable, and filled with narrative. While both teams will rue missed chances, fans were the real winners in this showdown. Inter Miami remain unbeaten in four, while San Jose showed enough attacking promise to build on.

A point apiece in a match that could’ve gone either way—but one that left nobody disappointed.