Inter Miami defeated New York City FC 3-2 in Week 5 of the MLS at Yankee Stadium. Lionel Messi scored a goal, reaching 901 career goals. With the victory, The Herons drew level with the home team in the Eastern Conference standings with 10 points, three points behind the leader, Nashville, who have 13.
Messi scored again from a free kick for Inter Miami. Getty Images
When the match was just getting underway, The Herons struck early. In the fourth minute, Lionel Messi sent in a cross that, after a clearance by the home defense, resulted in a loose ball in the box. Gonzalo Luján was there to finish near the post to make it 1-0.
After a period of clear dominance by the visiting team, the Argentine captain came close to extending the lead. He received the ball at the edge of the box, cut inside with his trademark move, and unleashed a left-footed shot, but goalkeeper Matthew Freese responded brilliantly, preventing a second goal.
However, the home side responded in the 16th minute. Argentine Nicolás Fernández Mercau executed a flawless free kick, curling it into the top corner past Dayne St. Clair, who could do nothing against such a strike, to level the score at 1-1 for New York City FC.
From then on, the home side took control of the ball and began to dictate the game. However, Javier Mascherano’s team possesses a decisive factor in Lionel Messi, capable of changing the course of the match every time he touches the ball.
In the 30th minute, the Argentine captain received the ball on the right, cut inside again to create space, and fired a shot that this time struck the post.
In the final stretch of the first half, both teams created danger again, but the goalkeepers responded confidently to maintain the tie. New York City FC threatened first, in the 34th minute, with a shot from Maxi Moralez outside the box that was well saved by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Messi had another chance for Inter Miami with a left-footed shot from the center of the area, but once again Freese was there to prevent a second goal.
The opening minutes of the second half saw little action and few scoring opportunities. During this period, the clearest chance fell to Inter Miami in the 48th minute, when Mateo Silvetti received the ball inside the box on the left side and fired a right-footed shot that went wide of the right post.
However, in the 26th minute, New York City FC took the lead with a great team move initiated by Maxi Moralez. The experienced midfielder delivered a brilliant pass to Agustín Ojeda, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finished with great composure to put the home side ahead 2-1.
But New York City FC’s lead was short-lived. In the very next play, Messi took a free kick; the ball took a deflection and left the goalkeeper with no chance, making it 2-2.
Riding this momentum, Inter Miami turned the game around in the 74th minute. After a corner kick, Noah Allen delivered a precise cross into the box, and Micael headed it home to make it 3-2 for The Herons.
Then Germán Berterame came on, and the visitors had another clear opportunity. After replacing Yannick Bright, the striker scored, but the goal was disallowed for offside, preserving the lead.
In the final stages, both teams had clear chances, but the goalkeepers and some poor finishing prevented further goals. In the 88th minute, Berterame came close with a header from a Messi cross, but the ball sailed high.
In stoppage time, the home side pressed hard for an equalizer. Nicolás Fernández delivered a corner kick, and Matt Freese, the home goalkeeper, rose to head the ball, but it went just wide. Then, Dayne St. Clair unleashed a powerful header in one of the final attacks.
With this victory, Inter Miami secured a crucial win against New York City FC and drew level with the home side in the Eastern Conference standings with 10 points, three points behind the leader, Nashville, who have 13.
