superstar Lionel Messi scored in the second half, helping Inter Miami draw host LA Galaxy 1-1 in the second round of MLS 2024.
Scored: Joveljic 75 – Messi 90
In the second minute of extra time in the second half, Messi opened the ball to the left for Jordi Alba to rush into the penalty area. The Spanish defender passed back so the Argentinian superstar rushed in, leaned forward, then shot a one-touch shot to the corner to seal a 1-1 draw for Inter Miami. This is Messi’s first goal in MLS 2024, helping the team maintain their unbeaten record.
Messi hugged the ball to the middle of the field after scoring a 1-1 equalizer for Inter Miami against LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Stadium, Carson City, California, USA, second round of MLS 2024 on the evening of February 25, 2024. Photo: IMFC
Counting in official matches, this is Messi’s first goal in 2024. He has scored in 20 consecutive years, since 2005. Miami also climbed to the top of the MLS table, but the other teams have not yet played the second round.
Before scoring, Messi and his teammates faced many difficulties when LA Galaxy also had many players who had played in Europe such as Maya Yoshida, Riqui Puig or Martin Caceres. The away team’s captain scored eight times in this match, but most were just long-range shots in difficult situations.
Inter Miami kept the ball twice as much as their opponents, but only finished 11 times, less than half the hosts’ chances. LA Galaxy squandered opportunities, including Puig’s penalty shot being pushed away by goalkeeper Drake Callender. With eight saves, Callender was given 9.0 points by Sofascore in this match, higher than Messi (8.4 points).
Up to 73% of Inter Miami’s chances were scored by Messi in this match. Not only was he the focus of the away team, he also attracted the attention of about 27,000 spectators in California. The stands also had many famous people watching, such as world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic, or Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry.
Inter Miami only really put pressure on their opponents after outplaying their opponents in the 88th minute, because midfielder Marco Delgado was sent off. It only took the away team four minutes to convert their advantage with a goal. But in the remaining minutes, Tata Martino’s team did not score more goals to maintain their winning streak.
After two rounds, Inter Miami won one match and drew one match. Messi also scored two goals, with an assist and a goal. In the next match, Miami returns home to take on Orlando City on the evening of March 2.
