Inter Miami managed to salvage a dramatic 3-3 draw against Philadelphia Union thanks to a late goal and an assist from Lionel Messi, after falling behind early to a goal from Bangladeshi-origin winger Quinn Sullivan.
At first, there wasn’t much of Messi’s signature brilliance on display. But in the 87th minute, Inter Miami won a free kick just outside the box. From the right side, Messi curled a precise shot toward the far post. Even though the keeper had covered that corner well and got a hand to it, he couldn’t keep it out. The commentator exclaimed, “What a strike… Messi magic…!”
Despite the goal, Miami was still trailing. The commentator added, “Stay seated… we’re in for a crazy finish!” And that’s exactly what followed. Philadelphia kept pushing forward, but in a swift counter, Segovia found the net off a clever pass from Messi.
Five minutes of stoppage time were added, and it was in the final minute that Segovia’s goal brought Miami level. The Venezuelan midfielder received a subtle pass from Messi and fired home a brilliant strike from just outside the box.
The MLS match, held Sunday morning Bangladesh time, saw Miami dominate possession with 67% of the ball. Yet, Philadelphia—despite only 33% possession—looked sharper in attack, constantly troubling the Miami defense. They took 17 shots, 7 of which were on target. Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari made 4 crucial saves to keep his side in the game.
Philadelphia struck early in the 7th minute. Kai Wagner’s corner was delicately played to a sprinting Quinn Sullivan, who smashed the ball into the net from the right side of the box. The 21-year-old winger—whose maternal lineage is Bangladeshi-German—had the option to represent Bangladesh at the international level, but he’s already made appearances for the U.S. U-20 team and was recently called into the senior team’s camp by coach Mauricio Pochettino for upcoming matches against Turkey and Switzerland.
Miami had their first real chance in the 33rd minute. After a clever dummy by Luis Suárez, Messi rolled a low shot through a defender’s legs from outside the box, but Philadelphia keeper Andrew Rick denied it.
Philadelphia kept the pressure on. A powerful header from Nathan Harriel off a corner was superbly saved by Ustari. Then, in the 42nd minute, a long-range shot by Danley Jacks was punched away just over the bar by the Miami keeper.
But two minutes later, Ustari was finally beaten. In a crowded box, Philadelphia’s Tai Baribo found a gap among four Miami defenders and slotted the ball into the net.
Miami pushed harder in the second half and got one back in the 60th minute. A precise cross from Noah Allen was met with a header from Tadeo Ayende, marking the Argentine winger’s first goal in two months.
In the 70th minute, Segovia appeared to have scored another header for Miami, but it was ruled offside.
Just two minutes later, Baribo scored again from close range, restoring Philadelphia’s two-goal lead. There was some debate over whether he was offside—“tight call,” noted the commentators.
Shortly after, Ustari had to make another crucial save, stopping a close-range shot from Danley Jacks with his foot.
Then came Messi’s stunning free-kick goal in the 87th minute.
In the very next minute, Philadelphia nearly extended their lead again. Jacks set up Baribo, whose low shot from the far post was denied by another fantastic save from Ustari, denying the Israeli forward his hat trick.
In the 94th minute, Philadelphia’s Jovan Lukic fired a shot that brushed Ustari’s hand and hit the post. Seconds later came Miami’s equalizer. Messi slipped a gentle pass to Segovia, whose sharp strike from the edge of the box sealed the 3-3 draw.
That goal saved Inter Miami from what could have been their sixth defeat in eight games. With 23 points from 14 matches, Messi’s side remains sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. Philadelphia, with 30 points from 15 matches, sits at the top.
