In a dramatic turn of events, Lionel Messi rescued Inter Miami from defeat with a stunning injury-time goal against the LA Galaxy on Sunday night, securing a 1-1 draw for his team.
Dejan Joveljic had put the Galaxy ahead in the 75th minute, seemingly setting Miami up for an unexpected loss. However, Messi, in his first appearance against the club, had other plans.
In the dying moments of the match, Messi combined with his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba, receiving a pass and expertly chipping the ball past Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy into the top corner of the net.
The goal sent shockwaves through the stadium, filled with a record-breaking crowd of 27,642 fans, many of whom were donning Messi shirts. Inter Miami, boasting a star-studded lineup including Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Alba, had high expectations for the season.
Despite the hype surrounding Inter Miami, the Galaxy, in a rebuilding phase without big-name signings, put up a strong fight. They outplayed Miami for much of the game, registering 23 shots compared to Miami’s 11.
It was only in the late stages of the match that the Galaxy managed to break through Miami’s defense, with Joveljic capitalizing on a rebound to score. However, their hopes of victory were dashed when Mark Delgado received a second yellow card, reducing the Galaxy to 10 men.
Messi had earlier missed a golden opportunity but made amends with his late heroics, showcasing his brilliance once again. The match was a testament to the excitement and anticipation surrounding MLS, reminiscent of the league’s growth since Beckham’s arrival at the Galaxy in 2007.
With Beckham’s influence felt on both sides of the pitch, the clash between Inter Miami and the Galaxy epitomized the progress MLS has made over the years, drawing praise from commissioner Don Garber for embodying the league’s aspirations and achievements.
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