Inter Miami kicked off their exhibition tour with a thrilling victory, with legendary Argentine Lionel Messi, the team’s star, scoring a first-half goal that put his teammates through to a 3-2 draw against Club América of Mexico, before sealing victory in a penalty shootout early Sunday morning.
The match ended 2-2 at the end of regulation time, but Inter Miami emerged victorious in the penalty shootout.
Messi scored the equalizer with a header in the 34th minute, taking advantage of a cross from Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, making the score 1-1.
The goal came just 12 minutes after Messi missed a good chance and missed two free-kick opportunities in the first half, before leaving the field in the 61st minute.
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Henri Martin had given Club América the lead in the 31st minute, but Messi’s quick response three minutes later leveled the score.
-Israel Reyes then restored the Mexican team’s lead with a goal in the 52nd minute, but Tomás Avilés saved a point for Inter Miami with an equalizer in the second minute of added time, setting the stage for the session. shots on goal.
This match marks the start of Inter Miami’s exhibition season, which includes five matches across Central and South America, serving as preparation for the upcoming US NBA season, where they will face Kansas City on February 22 .
This is a great opportunity for head coach Javier Mascherano, who played alongside Messi, to evaluate his team.
Last season, Messi showed brilliant form in the American league, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists in 19 matches.
With Messi’s contract set to expire at the end of next season, his future remains uncertain, leaving fans to speculate whether the 37-year-old star will continue with Inter Miami or seek another club.
