Lionel Messi Rescues Inter Miami at 10-Man LA Galaxy With Added-Time Equalizer

Author:
Robert Summerscales
Publish date:
Feb 26, 2024 4:15 AM EST

Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the 2024 Major League Soccer season to earn his Inter Miami side a 1-1 draw at Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday night.

Messi found the net in the second minute of added time when he poked home a sliding finish from nine yards after playing a couple of one-twos with Jordi Alba.

Galaxy had been reduced to 10 men four minutes earlier when midfielder Marky Delgado was shown his second yellow card for a bad tackle on Sergio Busquets.

When it was 11 vs. 11, Galaxy were the much better side and recorded twice as many shots as Miami.

One of those shots was a penalty kick that was saved by Drake Callender in the 13th minute. It was taken by Riqui Puig following a foul by Busquets on Joseph Paintsil.

Galaxy eventually took the lead in the 75th minute courtesy of Dejan Joveljic.

Delgado teed up Joveljic for a tap-in after Callender had parried a long-range effort from Puig.

But Miami hit back to move top of the Eastern Conference with four points from their opening two games.

Messi and Luis Suarez had each provided an assist four days earlier when Miami kicked off the new season with a 2-0 home victory over Real Salt Lake.

Next up for Messi and Co is a home clash with Orlando City next Saturday.