Hlongwane leads the way as Minnesota United thump Messi's Inter Miami

Minnesota United (@MNUFC)/X

On Saturday, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Minnesota United continued a strong start to their 2025 Major League Soccer campaign with a 4-1 home victory over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. The South African got into the right position to receive Joaquin Pereyra's incisive pass and fired in the opening goal in the 32nd minute.

Anthony Markanich doubled hosts Minnesota's lead just before halftime to give Miami more to do in the second half. The Herons struggled to create much but got themselves back into the game through superstar Messi less than three minutes into the second half.

But Miami continued their worrying recent trend of defensive collapses starting with Marcelo Weigandt's own goal in the 68th minute, followed by Robin Lod's precise first-time strike two minutes later.

Minnesota are now second place in MLS' Western Conference with three straight victories in all competitions. Hlongwane, who has not played for Bafana Bafana since November 2023, has reinvented himself this season as a right back under Minnesota coach Eric Ramsay. The 24-year-old former Maritzburg United player has a goal and an assist and has started all twelve league matches so far this season.