After 12 matches, SA star Bongokuhle Hlongwane finally got it right in the 2025 Major League Soccer season as he shone against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
The match was played at the Allianz Field on Saturday night. It ended 4-1 in favour of Minnesota United. Hlongwane’s Minnesota United hosted Messi and Inter Miami in a rare cross-conference meeting.
Minnesota United play in the MLS Western Conference while Inter Miami are in the Eastern Conference. Moreso, this was the two club’s first meeting since Messi’s arrival in the MLS.
And Minnesota United who sit second in the Western Conference were determined to prove a point in their own backyard. It was the former Maritzburg United [now Durban City FC] winger who set them on the way after 32 minutes when he scored.
That strike marked his first goal of the season, during which coach Eric Ramsay has primarily utilised him in the right-back position.
BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE BREAKS GOAL DUCK AGAINST LIONEL MESSI’s INTER MIAMI
The 24-year-old fired the ball home from an acute angle to the bottom left corner, after receiving a pin-point pass from Carlos Harvey. They kept prodding to extend their lead and they doubled their score on the stroke of half-time.
This time, it was Anthony Markanich who darted the ball home and they went to the break with a comfortable lead. Inter Miami returned from the break with so much impetus and Messi pulled one goal back in the 48th minute.
But Inter Miami’s hopes of coming back were dampened when Marcelo Weigandt scored an own goal to give Minnesota United a two-goal cushion.
That was after 68 minutes. Two minutes later, Minnesota United extended their lead via Robin Lod with a left-footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. That was all they needed to record the famous win.
In addition, Hlongwane continues to prove he is an indispensable asset for the club. His immense contributions have been compelling enough to earn him a place in the 12 matches played so far.
Last season, he made 34 appearances for The Loons with 23 starts to his name. In addition, he made 15-goal contributions. He scored 11 times and provided four assists.
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