Lionel Messi did it again. On the road losing at Inter Miami, against Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union and now a Philadelphia faithful enamored with No. 10, Messi came through when most would. A goal from a free kick in the 87th minute and a scoring assist in the 95th minute, Messi was specifically responsible for the 3-3 tie at Subaru Park.
The win keeps Florida ahead in the struggle to lead the standings, sixth at 23 points, and puts in context the crucial contribution made by the Argentine — technologically, morally, and emotionally — in this Javier Mascherano-led team.
Poor start, initial deficit, and creativity struggles
Philadelphia Union came in to assert itself and played it like it in those initial minutes. In the 7th, Quinn Sullivan quickly took a corner at the top of the box and, having space, took a cross-shot into the back of the net. Inter Miami felt it. The second punch came before halftime. On a loose ball inside the six-yard box, in the 44th, Tai Baribo popped up in the box and punched one into the back. At 2-0, Union seemed to have this one in hand. And Inter? They seemed stagnant.
The reaction begins to develop at 60
Inter's relief came at the start of the 60th minute. After a well-organized move by the back line, Avilés moved boldly up and found Jordi Alba in midfield. The fullback quickly gave a succession of passes back to Allen, who delivered a direct pass to Tadeo Allende. The Argentine midfielder beat his marker and drove a heading shot into the back of the net. This was now 2-1, a score that injected energy and lifted the team.
The problem was that the momentum did not hold. In the 72nd, after a nitty-gritty move inside, the ball dropped sweetly to Baribo at the post. Unmarked, he simply tapped it in to level it back at 3-1 and quieten the reaction.
Most people at this point thought that the match was over.
The Messi factor comes into play
But Messi remained on the field. And for those who have seen soccer for thirty years, suddenly it's different. At added time in the 87th minute, Messi had a gilt-edged chance from a free kick at the edge of the penalty area. The wall had hardly jumped. Anchored with his left foot, Messi bent a free kick into the top corner. A goal, apart from its quality, with purpose. It pulled Inter Miami back into contention and charged up the team for the final few minutes.
And then, in stoppage time in the fifth minute thereof, Messi had to intervene yet again, this time creating. He found Telasco Segovia out on the touchline. The substitute brought it down, beat the defence, and blasted in at the corner. A wonder. A draw. And a team, even while staggering, never releasing. It's not hyperbole to say that Inter Miami rises and falls with Messi. Still, at age 37, he's a match-winner in deciding games.
And not even solely from a technical standpoint. Provided he remains healthy and focused, Inter will continue to be in the spotlight. If, however, they're to do more than a courageous comeback, the team must be a more collective unit and less reliant upon flashes of brilliance — even from one of the legends.