Messi Returns to Goalscoring Ways to Punish Philadelphia

A brace from the returning Lionel Messi set Inter Miami up for a win against a Philadelphia side that made the home side work for the result.

As the home fans looked forward to seeing their captain and maestro Messi return to action after recovering from injury, Philadelphia became party poopers with a goal in the second minute.

A high clearance for Tomas Aviles whose poor headed clearance fell nicely for Mikael Uhre who controlled it on his chest before firing his shot passed the unsighted Drake Callender to silence the home supporters.

It was a poor start from Inter and wasn’t the return that Messi would have wanted, but the Argentine didn’t have to wait long before restoring parity. But not before Philadelphia created a few scares in the Miami goal mouth.

With Hector Martinez having to leave the field through injury, Miami’s defense started to look shaky and it was Aviles again that made the mistake. A terrible back pass left Callender exposed but the big keeper did exceptionally well with a double save to save the defenders blushes. The second stop was even more impressive as he was out of his area and managed to use his body to block the shot.

Miami looked slow and off the pace as the visitors continued to create chances and look to increase their lead.

And just as the home side seemed to be struggling to play their normal fluid game, a quick sweeping move and Messi found the equalizer. Jordi Alba played in Lois Suarez whose quick pass found Messi who turned the defender with ease and passed the ball into the corner, beating Andrew Rick.

The slick Inter Miami machine of recent weeks that we’ve become used to seeing was barely on show, but they managed to find some form and show their class.

Minutes later and another quick move down the left opened up the Philadelphia back line. Alba played in Messi on the edge of the area and the captain stroked the ball home to give his team the lead for the first time in the match.

Philadelphia continued to ask questions and create half chances. However, they either couldn’t find the final pass or finish off the chances they created. Miami started to find their feet and impose themselves on the game, and Philadelphia never really looked like getting back into the match. Despite trailing by just one goal, you always felt that Miami were in control.

Callender was in commanding form for Miami between the sticks, and that kind of confidence permeates through the whole team. It was an impressive display and he kept his team in the game at times.

Sergio Busquets was pulling the strings and controlling the tempo, as he usually does, often winning the ball deep and simply playing the simple pass whilst keeping possession.

And as they played out the final few minutes of added time, Suarez receives a simple pass from Messi and scored to put the result beyond any doubt.

It was a well deserved win for Miami who will be pleased with the result but anxious about their injury list and availability for their next game on Saturday against New York City.

With Martinez and Noah Allen both going off injured and Busquets and Aviles suspended, coach Gerardo Martino will have his work cut out selecting his back line.

It was a welcome return for Messi who picked up where he left off with two goals and an assist as Miami struggled but ultimately came out on top.