Lionel Messi and Inter Miami remain the finest sporting spectacles.
Messi contributed on two second-half goals as Inter Miami defeated defending MLS champion LAFC 3-1 on Sunday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Messi, the 2022 World Cup champion and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, failed to score for the second game in a row, and the third time in 11 games since joining Inter Miami. He didn’t have to, however.
Messi’s left boot produced two crucial passes that presented spectators and celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Prince Harry, Leonardo DiCaprio, and others with the elegant magnificence they came to witness.
Messi set up former FC Barcelona colleague Jordi Alba in the 51st minute and youngster Leo Campana in the 83rd minute, while Facu Farias scored in the 18th minute to keep Inter Miami unblemished under Messi’s reign.
“You know who Leo is and what he can bring on the pitch. “He gets the best out of everyone,” Campana stated after the game on Apple TV.
LAFC enjoyed a 22-9 shooting advantage and six shots on goal, but couldn’t reach the back of the net until the 90th minute, when Ryan Hollingshead’s header brought the game closer than it had been.
Since Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami has gone 10-1-0 (win-draw-loss). In the MLS Eastern Conference postseason battle, Inter Miami sits eight points behind ninth-place D.C. United.
Messi will leave Inter Miami to compete in Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers.
Messi will go to Argentina after the encounter to assist the reigning World Cup winners qualify for the tournament again with two games this month.
As a consequence, Messi is anticipated to miss Inter Miami’s next game on September 9 against Sporting Kansas City at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi will be in the Argentine squad for a home encounter against Ecuador on September 7 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Messi will also be there for the team’s second qualifying encounter against Bolivia, which will take place on September 12 at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia.
Messi’s involvement in both games may have an influence on his availability for Inter Miami’s encounter against Atlanta United on September 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Security prevented a Messi supporter from racing onto the field.
During the second half of the game, a Messi admirer rushed to him in the centre of the field.
After Messi and the supporter made contact, Messi’s Inter Miami security officer instantly intervened.
Messi came to a halt as the fan’s pace slowed as he approached Messi.
A LAFC official attempted to intervene between Messi and the supporter before Messi’s security man intervened.
In the 73rd minute, security took the supporter from the field.
Messi visits Owen Wilson’s family after the LAFC match.
After the game, Messi hugged actor Owen Wilson on the field, as supporters swarmed him for autographs.
How difficult was Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory against LAFC?
LAFC was a stiff challenge, having defeated their last four opponents at home 18-1 before to this match.
Inter Miami delivered with soaring pink and black colours.
“LAFC is a strong squad. We knew it would be tough. We knew it was going to be difficult… but after we got the first one, we smelled a little bit of blood and continued going from there,” Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin said in an Apple TV postgame interview. “It gives us a lot of hope.” It’s a big triumph for us, but the task isn’t done yet. We’ll go on to the next one.”
Inter Miami 3, LAFC 1 (goal by Ryan Hollingshead)
For LAFC, it’s too little, too late.
Ryan Hollingshead scored on a set piece in the 90th minute, right before extra time, to put LAFC ahead.
Inter Miami won’t get the shutout, but LAFC’s goal makes the game appear closer than it was all night.
Inter Miami 3, LAFC 0 (Leo Campana goal)
The correct pass. At the appropriate moment. And then there was Leo Messi and Inter Miami’s Hollywood ending.
Messi rushed up the pitch and came upon Leo Campana racing down the right side. Campana’s left-footed effort finds the back of the goal, giving Inter Miami a 3-0 lead in the 83rd minute.
While Messi did not score in this match, he did leave his imprint on LAFC with two assists.
Messi is given a chance, but no assist: Inter Miami 2, LAFC 0.
Messi had two chances near the goal, but none was successful.
In the 75th minute, Messi received a ball off the shoulder from Leo Campana to set up a corner kick.
Messi had chased down a ball above his head three minutes earlier and waited for his Inter Miami colleagues to join him. LAFC defenders blocked Messi’s pass to Facu Farias, who missed in the 72nd minute. Farias was given a yellow card for a foul in exasperation shortly after.
In the 69th minute, LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead had a shot that went over the crossbar. LAFC has had plenty of chances in this one.
Inter Miami 2, LAFC 0: Drake Callendar shines in the second half
Inter Miami custodian Drake Callendar made two saves in the 60th minute on strikes by LAFC’s Dénis Bouanga to keep LAFC off the scoresheet.
Callendar, who has a new hairstyle, has been Inter Miami’s most significant non-Messi player since the Argentine star joined the club.
Facundo Faras missed a chance in the 57th minute that may have put this game out of reach even more.
Inter Miami 2, Los Angeles FC 0 (Jordi Alba goal)
Leo Messi saw Jordi Alba racing towards the net, and Alba scores.
Inter Miami leads LAFC 2-0 right after halftime, scoring in the 51st minute.
Sergio Busquets set up Alba’s goal by passing the ball to Messi, as all three former FC Barcelona standouts who joined Inter Miami this summer made their presence known during the scoring.
While Messi has yet to score in this game, he has provided an assist, and Inter Miami has a commanding lead.
Inter Miami 1, LAFC 0 at halftime
Inter Miami leads LAFC 1-0 at halftime thanks to Leo Messi.
Messi is yet to score in this game, having missed two chances.
Facu Farias of Inter Miami scored in the 14th minute, while goaltender Drake Callendar made numerous saves to preserve LAFC scoreless.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, Messi’s former coach at Barcelona and Argentina, was interviewed during the Apple TV broadcast at halftime.
Martino said, “It’s been a level match” and a “beautiful game to watch, great spectacle.”
Selena Gomez can’t believe Messi missed in the 37th minute: Inter Miami 1, LAFC 0.
Messi was assisted by Diego Gomez. He settled down and let his left boot rip. The shot was disputed by LAFC custodian John McCarthy.
However, the highlight came after Messi’s mistake.
In the stands, Selena Gomez couldn’t believe her eyes when the television recorded her response to Messi’s mistake in the 37th minute.
The stars are in attendance in Los Angeles, and Inter Miami leads 1-0 shortly before halftime.
Inter Miami 1, LAFC 0: Prince Harry may be cheering for LAFC.
Leo Messi’s initial attempt was saved by the LAFC custodian.
However, only a minute earlier in the broadcast, Prince Harry was seen in distress after a missed chance for LAFC. Mario González’s left foot reached the back of the goal in the 26th minute.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callendar was a standout during the Messi era, contesting at least six LAFC attempts in the opening 28 minutes of this encounter.
Inter Miami 1, LAFC 0 (Facundo Farias)
Inter Miami is on the board, and it’s one of its bright kids who is scoring.
After a ball from Tomás Avilés, Facundo Farias connected with a sliding kick from the right side in the 14th minute.
Messi rushed into Farias’ palms as Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead in Los Angeles.
When is today’s Inter Miami vs. LAFC game?
It’s getting late! Because the clubs play on the West Coast, kickoff is set at 10 p.m. ET at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Prepare your coffee and popcorn.
Messi, Inter Miami vs. LAFC: TV and streaming
The Inter Miami vs. LAFC game can be seen live on Apple TV with MLS Season Pass.
Miami vs. LAFC starting lineups
The starting lineups for both Miami and LAFC have been released, barely 45 minutes before the two clubs face off in what should be an entertaining contest.
And here’s LAFC’s starting lineup, with an intriguing note: defender Giorgio Chiellini is starting today, and he has a history with Messi, having played for Juventus in Italy. Chiellini once remarked that the best method to defend Messi was to “make the sign of the cross” and pray.
Messi will be seen in person tonight by Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and LeBron James, among others.
Messi will not be the only superstar at BMO Stadium tonight when Inter Miami plays LAFC.
LeBron James, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry are among the famous visitors for tonight’s match, as are Ted Lasso (real name Jason Sudeikis), Leo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, and Will Ferrell. And, according to LAFC, this is just a tiny sample.
Everyone seemed to be obsessed with Messi.
How did Messi and Miami do in their most recent match?
Since the GOAT joined MLS in June, Messi and Miami have been on a tear. But they hit a brick block against Nashville on Wednesday.
Nashville FC became the first MLS team to keep Miami scoreless since Messi’s arrival, earning a 0-0 tie. (Recall that Miami defeated Nashville in the Leagues Cup final, drawing 1-1 before winning on PKs, 10-9). The game against Nashville was Miami’s tenth in 40 days. How fresh are the legs of the players at this point?
Predictions for Inter Miami vs. LAFC
USA TODAY Sports correspondent Safid Deen: Messi scores twice and assists on another to lead Barcelona to a thrilling victory in Los Angeles. LAFC 2, Inter Miami 3
Alicia DelGallo, senior editor at USA TODAY Sports: Miami fell down once again and must rely on Messi and Josef Martinez to win. LAFC 1, Inter Miami 2
Lindsay Schnell of USA TODAY Sports: Messi returns to form and scores, but a well-rested LAFC demonstrates why they are so powerful at home by winning comfortably. LAFC defeated Inter Miami 3-1.
USA TODAY Sports Editor Jim Reineking:The atmosphere at BMO Stadium will be tremendous, and the home team will react, handing Messi his first loss with Miami and a severe blow in the club’s late-season playoff drive. LAFC defeated Inter Miami 3–2.
Carlos Vela of LAFC will not be scared by Messi.
Many football players throughout the globe are terrified of the name Messi, and properly so. Messi, widely regarded as the best player of all time, is a wizard on the pitch, a brilliant athlete who poses a danger every time he touches the ball.
But, to say the least, Carlos Vela, LAFC’s standout attacker, is acquainted with Messi.
Vela, who can do it all as a striker, winger, or midfielder and also plays for the Mexican national team, has faced Messi a staggering 18 times in their careers. Granted, Messi generally wins — he has scored 13 goals in those encounters, while Vela has only scored one — but Vela will not be afraid, taking away an advantage that Messi often has.
LAFC is very difficult to defeat at home, having recently outscored opponents 18-1.
Beating LAFC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles is no easy assignment — just ask the last four opponents, who were slaughtered by a total score of 18-1. (No, it is not a typo.)
LAFC is largely regarded as having one of the hardest road environments in MLS, with St. Louis and Cincinnati (who suffered its first home loss Saturday, a 1-0 setback to Orlando City SC). A raucous 22,00-strong crowd is expected at BMO Stadium on Saturday, which might give LAFC an advantage. Another factor working in LAFC’s favour is rest: whereas Miami played on Wednesday, LAFC did not.
In Los Angeles, the Messi game is the place to be.
Messi, as usual, is one of the hottest tickets in town. The Los Angeles Times reports that secondary market tickets are costing $717, which is only “$31 less than what it would cost to attend every Los Angeles Chargers NFL home game at SoFi Stadium this season.” Beyoncé, who will perform her second of four gigs at SoFi Stadium this evening, is the other celebrity fetching high prices on the secondary market today.
To summarise, LA is the place to be tonight.
Messi and Miami are looking to rebound after a 0-0 draw with Nashville SC on Wednesday. Despite not winning, Nashville made history by being the first team to keep Messi scoreless since he joined MLS in June. Messi must be aware of this statistic and will be motivated to reverse his track.
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