Lionel Messi scores again as Inter Miami held to draw by Philadelphia Union

Lionel Messi was back among the goals for Inter Miami, but his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer.

The result means Inter Miami have now gone three league matches without a win, although Messi’s goal marked his first since returning to competitive action following the death of his father.

Philadelphia made the faster start and took the lead in the 11th minute through Indiana Vassilev. Inter Miami responded strongly, turning the game around with two goals in a five-minute spell.

Daniel Pintor levelled for the visitors in the 21st minute before Messi put Inter Miami ahead five minutes later. The Argentina forward produced an excellent finish from inside the penalty area to make it 2-1.

It was Messi’s first goal since his return from a period away from the team following his father’s death. He had missed Inter Miami’s match against Monterrey and scored in his third appearance since the bereavement.

Philadelphia, however, recovered after half-time and drew level through Nile Peirce in the 58th minute.

Neither side could find a winning goal during the remainder of normal time. The match continued deep into stoppage time, with tensions rising in the 13th additional minute when Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan and Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright became involved in a confrontation following a dispute.

The game finished level, leaving Inter Miami with 39 points from 20 matches in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia Union remain 13th on 30 points.

Messi’s return to the scoresheet provides a positive moment for Inter Miami, but the team’s failure to win again continues a difficult run in the league. After taking control of the match with goals from Pintor and Messi, they were unable to protect their advantage when Peirce equalised for the home side.

Philadelphia’s point came after a match in which they had led early, fallen behind and then fought back to secure a share of the points. Their late confrontation with Inter Miami added a dramatic finish to an otherwise evenly contested encounter.