It was an uninspiring performance, but Messi magic bailed out club late as Miami take three points
Lionel Messi returned from injury to play hero in an otherwise flat Inter Miami performance, lifting his team to a 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy on Saturday after missing two matches with a right hamstring issue.
Miami looked uninspired for much of the night, but late goals from Messi and Luis Suárez in the 84th and 89th minutes, respectively, secured three points after the reigning MLS Cup champions had held firm for 83 minutes.
Messi entered at halftime with Miami up 1-0 thanks to Jordi Alba’s strike just before the break. The Galaxy equalized 15 minutes into the second half when winger Joseph Paintsil sliced through two defenders and beat goalkeeper Oscar Ustari at the near post.
After a tense 20-minute spell, Messi produced a moment of brilliance, weaving through defenders before finishing with his trademark left foot to restore Miami’s lead. The Herons rode that momentum to the finish, capped by Suárez’s late dagger – set up, fittingly, by Messi.
The Uruguayan forward found the back of the net from open play for the first time in 12 matches, while Messi earned his 10th assist of the regular season. His strike, meanwhile, was his 19th of the season, which puts him in the lead of the MLS Golden Boot race.
With the season winding down, it was a crucial three points for Miami in the race for the MLS Supporters’ Shield and their standing for the postseason. It was a solid response from a squad who were coming off a 4-1 battering at the hands of Orlando City.
Now, with Messi back in the mix, the Herons will look to work their way up the standings in the East. With their win, they end the weekend in fourth place, six points back from conference-leading Philadelphia Union, while having three matches in hand.
GOAL rates Inter Miami’s players from Chase Stadium.
