Under the Californian night, Lionel Messi found the one answer Inter Miami needed — at least for a moment. With his side behind away to San Diego, the Argentine stepped over a free-kick near the penalty area and bent in another direct set-piece to make it 2-2.
Messi rescues a point in San Diego
Inter Miami had fallen behind on the road before Messi took responsibility from the dead ball. The 2022 World Cup winner converted the free-kick to bring David Beckham’s club level, adding another decisive intervention to an already remarkable run.
- Messi scored directly from a free-kick against San Diego.
- The goal came while Inter Miami were trailing away from home.
- The match finished 2-2.
- Messi has now been decisive in each of his last nine club appearances in all competitions.
A bright moment in a difficult MLS run
The equaliser did not turn into a victory for Inter Miami. The draw continued a poor sequence in Major League Soccer, where the club have managed only one win from their past nine matches.
Messi recently admitted that he was not certain how much longer he would continue playing, but there has been little sign of decline in his influence on the pitch. Even as Inter Miami struggle to convert performances into results, the Argentine remains capable of changing the course of a match with one strike.
