Lionel Messi showcased his brilliance once again by setting up a goal that gave Inter Miami a lead, but a dramatic last-minute header from New York City FC’s James Sands resulted in a 1-1 draw at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon. This match drew enthusiastic support from fans, who cheered loudly for Messi, despite the disappointing outcome.
Sands’ late equalizer marked the first goal of his career, coming in the 95th minute of the game, with Inter Miami looking to secure a 1-0 victory after Campana’s goal in the 75th minute. Messi initiated the scoring play by passing to Jordi Alba, who then assisted Campana for his impressive 31st goal, setting a franchise record for Inter Miami.
Following the match, Inter Miami remained at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings with 64 points, still within reach of breaking the MLS points record of 73, set by the New England Revolution in 2021. The team will need to win at least three of their last four regular season games to have a chance at this record.
Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating, particularly regarding a missed foul on midfielder Yannick Bright leading up to NYCFC’s equalizer. “I think we played a good game and we should have won,” Martino commented.
The match was intense from the beginning, with NYCFC supporters expressing their rivalry by confronting the Inter Miami bus upon arrival. On the field, players from both sides clashed, leading to several yellow cards during the second half. Messi and NYCFC defender Thiago Martins exchanged words, escalating tensions that resulted in multiple cautions, including a red card issued to an Inter Miami assistant coach.
In total, the referees handed out nine yellow cards, five of which went to Inter Miami players. Martino lamented the officiating’s impact on the game’s flow and outcome.
Despite the draw, Messi continued to draw attention for his skillful play, demonstrating why he remains one of the sport’s most celebrated figures.