Lionel Messi made his comeback for Inter Miami after recovering from injury, netting a goal just two minutes after being introduced as a second-half substitute in his team’s 2-1 victory against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
The Argentine superstar missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifying matches during the recent international window due to an adductor strain sustained in Miami’s previous Major League Soccer contest—a 2-1 triumph over Atlanta on March 16.
Finnish winger Robert Taylor opened the scoring for Miami in the 23rd minute, finishing off a low cross from Benjamin Cremaschi, after Jordi Alba had made a dazzling run down the left flank.
Coach Javier Mascherano brought Messi on in the 55th minute, and within two minutes of his entry, he found the back of the net. The former Barcelona star was gifted a pass by Luis Suarez on the right, allowing Messi to create some space before smashing a low, right-footed shot into the far corner of the net.
The Union struck back in the 80th minute when Quinn Sullivan delivered a cross from the right, and Hungarian midfielder Daniel Gazdag expertly controlled the ball before sending a precise shot into the net.
Unbeaten Miami currently leads the Eastern Conference with four victories from their opening five matches of the season.
Inter Miami is set for a hectic schedule, facing a trip to Los Angeles for the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final against LAFC on Wednesday. They will then return home to play against Toronto the following Sunday, before the second leg against LAFC three days later.
Mascherano explained that the decision to start Messi on the bench was made with caution.
“We didn’t want to take any risks by starting him, as we believed he could be at risk if he played the entire match. However, we wanted him to get some minutes,” the Argentine manager said.
“The objective is for him to recover and make the trip to Los Angeles. He was cleared to play today because he felt fit. While he may not have been ready for a full 90 minutes, it was beneficial for him to play for 45 minutes. If there are no complications, the plan is for him to travel,” he added.
A Thriller of Seven Goals
In an exhilarating seven-goal encounter, Atlanta United found themselves trailing 3-1 against New York City FC at home, after Wolff scored twice for the visitors and an own goal from Keaton Parks brought Atlanta back into contention.
However, Miguel Almiron, who recently returned from Newcastle United during the pre-season transfer window, scored with a header to equalise for Atlanta with just 15 minutes remaining.
Another new arrival, Ivorian forward Emmanuel Latte Lath, a record signing worth $22 million from Middlesbrough, pounced on some indecisive defending to net the winner in the 84th minute, securing a 4-3 victory for Atlanta.
In other matches, Uruguayan striker Diego Rossi netted a brace for the Columbus Crew in their 2-1 win over DC United, while Canadian striker Tani Oluwaseyi also bagged two goals for Minnesota United in a 2-0 victory against Real Salt Lake.
Spanish midfielder Carles Gil scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot during the seventh minute of stoppage time, leading the New England Revolution to a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls. Gil had initially opened the scoring with a magnificent free-kick before ex-Bayern Munich star Eric Choupo-Moting equalised for the Red Bulls.
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