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Lionel Messi saved his family on Sunday. While his Inter Miami was manhandled, the Argentinian equalized in stoppage time against the Los Angeles Galaxy (1-1), in MLS. The Galaxy dominated the match and took the lead in the 75th minute thanks to Serbian striker Dejan Joveljic. But the home side finished the match with ten men after midfielder Mark Delgado was sent off for a second yellow card in the 87th minute. Jordi Alba then combined with Messi on the left side, the Spaniard delivering an assist to the Argentinian who, in full swing, found the target from the outside of his left foot.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or was also mostly ineffective in this match where Miami, with seven starters over the age of 30, struggled to keep up with the Galaxy. The Florida club had fielded its four former FC Barcelona stars in its starting team, with Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez present alongside Messi. But it was an element of the Galaxy trained at Barça, the Spaniard Riqui Puig, 24, who established himself as the best player on the field, especially in the first half where the Californians obtained a series of occasions.
Busquets and Suarez looked particularly behind, and with their contribution limited, Messi was not given much space. “We were overwhelmed in the first half, we could have gone back to the locker room with a goal behind,” admitted Gerardo Martino, Inter Miami coach. “They scored on a counter-attack, but then we showed character,” he added. Miami has four points after winning the opening match of the season against Real Salt Lake last Wednesday (2-0).