Lionel Messi checked into the match early in the second half, the score tied and Inter Miami's chances at breaking a pair of Major League Soccer regular-season records very much uncertain.
In that instant, it all changed.
Messi had three goals - his first MLS hat trick - and an assist in the span of about 30 minutes, Luis Suarez scored twice and Inter Miami rolled past New England 6-2 on Saturday night to set MLS records for most points and best winning percentage. Inter Miami finished with 74 points, one more than New England had in its record-setting season in 2021.
Best player ever. Best MLS record ever. A perfect match.
'This night is yours,' Inter Miami primary owner Jorge Mas said after the match, as the team celebrated the Supporters' Shield - which it won earlier this month on the road at Columbus - in a ceremony for the home fans. 'The best fans on the face of the Earth.'
The party was going to happen either way. Messi just made it even more special.
At 22-4-8 in league play, Inter Miami finished the season with a .765 winning percentage for another MLS record.
Four teams - D.C. United (24-8) and the LA Galaxy (24-8) in 1998, LAFC (21-4-9) in 2019 and New England (22-5-7) in 2021 - had finished an MLS season with a .750 winning percentage, which was the best until Saturday night.
Now, the top spot is Inter Miami´s by any measure, both in terms of points and best won-lost-tied mark.
Inter Miami also became the eighth team in MLS history to get through a regular season with only four losses, tying another record.
'Our players are what has made this season successful,' Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. 'Our captain has led us. Our players have led us in times where it was difficult.
'But now, tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, we prepare for Friday, the playoffs.'
Beckham also turned the focus straight to this season's MLS playoffs, which begin next week
Suarez and Messi finished with 20 goals apiece, the first MLS teammates to reach that milestone in the same season. It was Messi's first hat trick for Inter Miami, the team the Argentine superstar joined midway through the 2023 season in a huge victory for MLS.
If all that wasn't enough, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said after the match that Inter Miami - as has been generally expected - would be in the Club World Cup next summer as the host country representative. The tournament starts June 15, 2025 in Miami Gardens, and Inter Miami will play the first match.
Messi finished the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches. Suarez got to 20 goals in his first MLS season, his two goals Saturday - coming about three minutes apart - helping Inter Miami erase an early 2-0 deficit.