Lionel Messi’s return from injury sparked Inter Miami to a thrilling 3-1 victory over the defending MLS champion LA Galaxy on Saturday. The iconic Argentine striker, who had been nursing a minor muscle injury, came off the bench in the second half and scored the winning goal in the 84th minuts.
Inter coach Javier Mascherano had planned the match to give Messi minutes, aiming for 45 minutes of playing time to help him find his rhythm. Messi replaced Telasco Segovia in the second half and quickly made his presence felt. “The three training sessions we had were good. The important thing is that the match ended,” Mascherano said after the game, adding that Messi was “clearly not 100 percent comfortable” but loosened up as the minutes ticked by.
Jordi Alba opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 43rd minute with a precise finish after a through ball from Sergio Busquets. However, Joseph Paintsil equalized for the Galaxy in the 59th minute with a stunning individual effort, beating three defenders and goalkeeper Oscar Ustari with a sharp-angled shot. Messi’s winner came when he received a pass from Rodrigo De Paul, beat a defender, and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Luis Suarez sealed the win with a close-range shot in the 89th minute, assisted by Messi.
Messi’s goal was his 19th of the season in just 19 MLS appearances, showcasing his incredible form. He also provided the assist for Suarez’s goal, demonstrating his continued dominance on the pitch. “He wants to play every single game,” Mascherano said, explaining Messi’s relentless drive to perform. With this win, Inter Miami ranks fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference, six points behind leaders Philadelphia but with three matches in hand.
Inter Miami will face Tigres UANL in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, a match that promises to be a thrilling encounter. The team will look to build on their momentum and make a deep run in the competition. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities to bounce back from this loss.
