Lionel Messi's absence was felt by Inter Miami as they were thrashed 4-1 by Florida rivals Orlando City in MLS, with Luis Muriel scoring twice and providing an assist.

Miami were without the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner for a second game due to a muscle injury, and former Udinese and Sevilla forward Muriel played the starring role for Orlando.

Just 95 seconds had passed when he tucked home following a lovely link-up with Martin Ojeda, and he also headed straight at Oscar Ustari from a fine position in the fourth minute.

Miami levelled in the fifth minute thanks to a sensational strike from Yannick Bright, his first MLS goal, while Muriel struck the post from over 40 yards out on the volley.

Miami's Telasco Segovia also hit the upright with a volley from the edge of the box late in the first half, but it was Orlando who ran away with the game after the break.

Muriel received a short corner with his back to goal in the 50th minute, and the Colombian brilliantly turned Jordi Alba before slotting home.

Muriel turned provider eight minutes later as he picked out Ojeda, who cut inside from the right before squeezing his shot past Ustari and into the near corner.

Luis Suarez almost lobbed Pedro Gallese from the centre-circle, but that was the closest Miami got to pulling one back, and Marco Pasalic completed the scoring at the second attempt in the 88th minute, having been played onside by Benjamin Cremaschi.

The result sees Orlando leapfrog their rivals in the Eastern Conference standings to go fourth, though sixth-placed Miami still have three games in hand on most of their rivals.

Winning all three would take them level with the Philadelphia Union, who continue to lead the way despite a 1-1 draw with struggling Toronto FC.

Data Debrief: Ojeda's remarkable run

While Muriel was the star for Orlando, taking his goal involvements total for the season to 13 (eight goals, five assists), there was a landmark achievement for Ojeda.

His early assist made it 10 consecutive regular-season games with a goal contribution, the longest streak by an MLS player since Evander had an 11-game run from June to September 2024, and he later added a goal by deceiving Ustari.

Orlando, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in eight all-time home meetings with Miami in all competitions (three wins, five draws). The Herons are the only team the Lions have hosted at least five times since joining MLS without ever losing.