Inter Miami vs New York Red Bull, Messi closes match with electric 2-0

 Lionel Messi, the football maestro renowned for his dominance across elite soccer leagues, made a grand entrance into Major League Soccer that was nothing short of sensational.

During a match where Inter Miami held a narrow 1-0 lead against the New York Red Bulls, Messi took the field as a substitute in the 60th minute, marking his inaugural appearance in the MLS regular season.

His presence electrified the crowd, and just before stoppage time, he showcased his brilliance by notching a goal. With impeccable precision, Messi delivered a sublime assist and swiftly capitalized on the return pass, scoring an effortless tap-in goal that secured his team’s victory with an insurance goal.

Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami FC has ignited a spark within the team, with his contributions extending beyond league play, as evidenced by his role in leading the club to victory in the Leagues Cup earlier this month.

This triumph marked Inter Miami’s first championship since its establishment by David Beckham in 2020. In the tournament, the Argentine superstar impressively netted 10 goals and clinched the title of best player.

This achievement is particularly significant for Inter Miami, which commenced the evening at the bottom of the MLS standings. The victory marked the team’s initial step toward a resurgence, aiming to ascend into a playoff contention position.

The question of when Messi will take the field again remains unanswered. While his participation in Inter Miami’s upcoming match hasn’t been officially confirmed, his next opportunity to grace the field will likely be during a rematch for the Leagues Cup title. Scheduled for Wednesday, August 30th, at 7:30 p.m. ET, Inter Miami is set to host Nashville SC.

In the match against the New York Red Bulls, Inter Miami emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline. Lionel Messi notably scored the second goal for Miami, while Diego Gomez secured the first.

The victory over the Red Bulls marked a significant shift in Inter Miami’s MLS standings, as they advanced from the last position. This win added 21 points to their regular season tally, positioning them in the 14th place within the Eastern Conference. Notably, Toronto FC and the Colorado Rapids share the distinction of having the fewest points in MLS, both with 19 points.

Qualification for the playoffs in each conference entails securing a position within the top nine teams. For Inter Miami, there’s a substantial gap to bridge to claim a playoff spot, as they currently lag 11 points behind the ninth-place Chicago Fire FC.

Messi’s scoring prowess continues to shine, with his goal in the match further contributing to his impressive record. With the goal scored on that Saturday, Messi has now found the net in eight out of his nine matches with Inter Miami. His total tally now stands at an impressive 11 goals and six assists for his new club.

The match on Saturday wasn’t just a regular fixture; it was a showcase of Messi’s prowess that captivated even the bustling streets of Times Square, where a crowd gathered to witness his debut in the MLS regular season. The excitement and celebration that followed his goal reverberated throughout this iconic landmark.

During the match, Messi had a chance to demonstrate his skills in taking set pieces. Despite the anticipation, his attempt was met with a wall of defenders, hindering his shot’s trajectory.

While expectations were high for Messi’s magical performance, the chemistry needed to convert opportunities into goals proved challenging to establish. Although he had moments of involvement, including within the box, the synergy required to create scoring chances eluded him and his teammates. Despite these challenges, his team retained a 1-0 lead, and the New York Red Bulls struggled to convert any shots.

A strategic substitution was made by Tata Martino, as Benjamin Cremaschi was brought in for Facundo Farías after Messi’s presence on the field for 10 minutes.

Fans who invested in witnessing Messi’s debut in the MLS regular season weren’t disappointed. Despite a relatively delayed introduction, Messi’s impact was undeniable. He entered the match in the 60th minute, replacing Leonardo Campana, while Inter Miami held a 1-0 lead.

As the second half commenced, New York Red Bulls intensified their offensive efforts, striving to level the score. Multiple opportunities were created, with shots taken by players like Andrés Reyes and Daniel Edelman. However, Miami’s goalkeeper, Drake Callender, made crucial saves, denying New York from finding the back of the net. Even Tom Barlow’s shot from inside the box was thwarted by Callender’s exceptional effort.

Messi’s presence became more pronounced as the second half progressed, warming up the hearts of fans and signaling a potential substitution. The second half also saw strategic changes in New York’s lineup, including Peter Stroud and Tom Barlow joining the fray.

As halftime arrived, the scoreboard displayed a 1-0 lead for Inter Miami, courtesy of Diego Gómez’s goal. Possession had been relatively balanced, with Inter Miami holding a slight advantage at 55%. The first half witnessed a total of three shots from Inter Miami and five from the New York Red Bulls, none of which managed to hit the target.

A pivotal moment arrived when it appeared that the New York Red Bulls might equalize with a penalty shot after a handball was called on David Ruíz in the box. However, the introduction of VAR led to the reversal of the decision, as the ball was deemed to have struck Ruíz’s shoulder instead. The potential penalty opportunity evaporated for the Red Bulls.

The deadlock was eventually broken by Diego Gómez, as he capitalized on a deflected free kick, courtesy of a well-timed cross from Noah Allen. The goal put Inter Miami in the lead during the 37th minute. This momentum nearly translated into a second goal, with Leonardo Campana’s acrobatic left-footed shot narrowly saved by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel in the 41st minute.

Yellow cards were brandished for hard fouls, with Cameron Harper of the Red Bulls receiving a caution in the early stages. Similarly, Tomás Avilés earned a yellow card for a robust challenge. New York was granted a set piece outside the box, which, unfortunately for them, met the sturdy Inter Miami wall.

In the early minutes of the match, Inter Miami displayed control over possession. Although no goals had been scored at that point, Jordi Alba came close to finding the net from inside the box.

With the kickoff, the match officially commenced at Red Bull Arena. Notably, Messi’s presence was reserved for a substitute role, as he began the match on the bench. The anticipation of his potential impact as a substitute added to the intrigue of the encounter.

Inter Miami adopted a 5-4-1 formation for the match, as Tata Martino crafted the starting XI.