Inter Miami rallies past Atlético Nacional in Medellín preseason friendly as Suárez levels and late own goal decides

Comeback win on Champions Tour stop in Colombia

Inter Miami continued its 2026 preseason “Champions Tour” in South America with a 2–1 comeback victory over Atlético Nacional on January 31, 2026, at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín. The match delivered Miami’s first win of the current preseason, following an earlier tour opener in Lima.

Atlético Nacional opened the scoring in the first half through Juan Rengifo, who found the net in the 26th minute to put the hosts in front. Inter Miami responded after the break, equalizing in the 55th minute when Luis Suárez finished after an initial effort struck the frame and stayed in play. The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time, when an Atlético Nacional own goal—credited to Elkin Rivero—completed Miami’s late turnaround.

Final score: Atlético Nacional 1, Inter Miami 2 (Rengifo 26’; Suárez 55’; Rivero own goal, stoppage time).

Key personnel notes and debuts

Lionel Messi started and played the majority of the match, operating as a focal point in Miami’s attacking sequences and featuring in the buildup to the equalizer. Inter Miami also recorded notable first appearances from recent additions: forward Germán Berterame and defender Micael both made their unofficial debuts during the second half, as the coaching staff rotated personnel while continuing preseason integration.

• Goals: Juan Rengifo (Atlético Nacional), Luis Suárez (Inter Miami), Elkin Rivero own goal (Atlético Nacional).
• Debuts: Germán Berterame and Micael appeared for Inter Miami.
• Context: Second preseason match of Inter Miami’s 2026 Champions Tour in South America.

What the result means for Miami’s preseason schedule

The Medellín fixture was part of a multi-stop tour designed to prepare the MLS side for an extensive 2026 calendar. Inter Miami’s preseason itinerary continues with a match in Guayaquil, Ecuador, against Barcelona de Guayaquil on February 7, 2026. The club has also scheduled an additional preseason game in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, against Independiente del Valle on February 13, 2026.

With the Colombia win, Inter Miami leaves Medellín having tested a competitive lineup, introduced new signings in match conditions, and produced a second-half response after conceding first—elements that coaching staffs typically monitor closely during early-season preparation.