Messi’s 83rd-minute goal lifts Inter Miami past New England 2-1

Messi’s late finish turns the game

Inter Miami defeated New England Revolution 2-1 in Major League Soccer, with Lionel Messi scoring the decisive goal in the 83rd minute. His finish changed the result after New England had led for 16 minutes, answering the key question of how Miami completed the comeback.

New England took the lead in the 53rd minute when Dániel Gazdag scored to make it 1-0, assisted by Ilay Feingold. Inter Miami levelled in the 69th minute through Germán Berterame, whose goal made it 1-1 after an assist from Messi. Messi then supplied the winning moment himself, scoring in the 83rd minute for a 2-1 scoreline with an assist from Telasco Segovia.

Miami edged an open contest

The statistics point to a close match rather than complete control by the winner. New England had 54% possession, 583 total passes and 13 shots, compared with Miami’s 46%, 481 passes and 14 shots. However, Inter Miami produced six shots on goal to New England’s three, while their expected-goals figure was 1.55 against 1.25. New England also won seven corners to Miami’s one.

Miami committed 16 fouls and collected three yellow cards. Gonzalo Lujan was booked in the 25th minute, Matías Galarza in the 75th and Segovia in the 85th; Luca Daniel·Langoni received New England’s only yellow card in the 90th minute. Neither side received a red card.

Inter Miami move provisionally second

Before the match, New England were #2 in the Eastern Conference on 58 points and Miami were #3 on 56. After the result, Miami have 59 points and are provisionally #2, while New England remain on 58 and are provisionally #3. Nashville SC lead on 74 points; New England trail by 16 and Miami by 15. Messi was the standout performer, rating 9.0 after 90 minutes with one goal, one assist and two shots on target. New England entered after a loss, while Miami’s most recent result was a draw.