Lionel Messi made his mark by scoring after being substituted onto the field, yet his team, Inter Miami, encountered a setback as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer on Saturday. The Argentine star had been sidelined for nearly a month due to a hamstring injury, causing him to miss the previous four matches. However, he was included in the list of substitutes for the home game.
Messi was absent during Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at home against Mexico’s Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final. With the return leg scheduled for Wednesday, Inter coach Gerard Martino opted to rotate his squad.
Martino fielded a predominantly second-string lineup, with Messi’s former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba also starting from the bench.
The youthful lineup appeared composed but lacked significant threats. However, just before halftime, defender Ryan Sailor committed a reckless challenge in the box on Colorado’s French forward Kevin Cabral.
As a result, the Rapids’ Brazilian forward Rafael Navarro confidently converted the penalty, granting Colorado a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Messi’s introduction after halftime proved to be decisive as he made an immediate impact on the game.
Within just 12 minutes of stepping onto the field, the Argentine soccer star, and World Cup winner, leveled the score for Miami. Franco Negri delivered a low cross from the left, which Messi clinically dispatched into the net off the inside of the post.
Shortly after, Sergio Busquets entered the fray, and Miami seized the lead in the 60th minute. Messi orchestrated a swift attack from midfield, releasing David Ruiz down the right flank. Ruiz’s cross found debutant Leonardo Afonso, who calmly converted to put Miami ahead.
Messi continued to threaten the Colorado defense, forcing a fine save from former Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen and narrowly missing a goal from a tight angle at the back post.
Despite Miami’s attacking endeavors, they failed to find the crucial third goal. Their missed opportunities proved costly as Colorado capitalized in the 88th minute. Calvin Harris initiated a counter-attack down the right wing and set up Cole Bassett, who slotted home the equalizer.