Lionel Messi scored his 901st career goal as Inter Miami handed New York City FC their first loss of the Major League Soccer season with a thrilling 3-2 victory on Sunday.
The Argentine superstar equalised with a spectacular free kick in the 61st minute before Brazilian defender Micael headed home the game-winner in the 74th.
Miami, still smarting from their elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup following a draw with Nashville on Wednesday, the same night Messi scored the 900th goal of his legendary career, got off to a flying start when Argentine defender Gonzalo Luján opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a precise right-foot shot into the lower corner.
NYCFC responded in the 17th minute as Nicolás Fernández unleashed a blistering left-foot free kick into the upper corner. Messi threatened throughout the first half, missing a fast-break opportunity in the 27th minute and being denied by goalkeeper Matt Freese in the 36th. A powerful strike rattled the crossbar in the 42nd minute, and another attempt went wide in the 44th.
New York regained the lead in the 59th minute when Agustín Ojeda latched onto a through ball from Maxi Moralez and fired into the bottom corner.
Messi restored parity with a stunning left-footed free kick after being fouled by Aiden O’Neill. Thirteen minutes later, Micael delivered the winner with a precise header from Noah Allen’s cross.
The win moves Inter Miami to 3-1-1 on the season, while New York City FC slips to 3-1.
AFP
