Lionel Messi found the back of the net for the 101st time in an Inter Miami shirt as his team played out a 2-2 stalemate with San Diego FC on Sunday evening. The outcome stretched Miami’s streak to four straight draws in MLS competition.
San Diego went ahead courtesy of Anders Dreyer, who netted on two occasions during the contest. Messi answered with his 20th league strike of the campaign before Luis Suárez edged Inter Miami in front, only for Dreyer to pull level again eight minutes later.
Lionel Messi hits 101 goals for Inter Miami
Dreyer broke the deadlock in the 12th minute after latching onto a through ball from Jeppe Tverskov. He drove forward before chipping the ball over Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to hand San Diego a 1-0 lead.
Messi pulled Miami back on level terms in the 24th minute with his 20th MLS goal of the season. His free kick from the right side travelled untouched through the penalty area and nestled into the far corner of the net.
The goal arrived four days after Messi had registered his 100th for Inter Miami in a 2-0 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup. Luis Suárez then put Miami ahead in the 74th minute, but Dreyer levelled things up eight minutes later with his second goal of the match.
Inter Miami records fourth consecutive MLS draw
The 2-2 outcome leaves Inter Miami with a record of 12-4-10 and 46 points. The club will return to MLS action next Sunday with a visit to the Columbus Crew, while San Diego FC will travel to Auston FC next Saturday.
Earlier on Sunday, FIFA revealed that the final phase of the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will take place at Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium in January. FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis spoke about the decision at half-time, highlighting Miami’s enthusiasm for football and the city’s experience during the World Cup.
Ellis stated that the decision mirrored the city’s passion for the sport and called bringing a major women’s tournament to Miami exciting.