Lionel Messi delivered a goal and an assist as Inter Miami earned a 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union in an entertaining MLS encounter at Subaru Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Argentine superstar produced a brilliant pass in the buildup to D\u00e1niel Pint\u00e9r\u2019s first MLS goal before scoring a superb individual effort in the 26th minute. Messi immediately pointed toward the sky, dedicating his first goal since the death of his father, Jorge Messi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strike was widely reported as the 922nd goal of Messi\u2019s remarkable senior career. However, Inter Miami could not protect its halftime lead, with Neil Pierre\u2019s second-half header securing a point for Philadelphia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
| Match detail<\/th> | Information<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> |
|---|---|
| Competition<\/td> | MLS regular season<\/td><\/tr> |
| Result<\/td> | Philadelphia Union 2-2 Inter Miami<\/td><\/tr> |
| Venue<\/td> | Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania<\/td><\/tr> |
| Date<\/td> | August 19, 2026<\/td><\/tr> |
| Philadelphia scorers<\/td> | Indiana Vassilev 11\u2019, Neil Pierre 58\u2019<\/td><\/tr> |
| Inter Miami scorers<\/td> | D\u00e1niel Pint\u00e9r 21\u2019, Lionel Messi 26\u2019<\/td><\/tr> |
| Red cards<\/td> | Cavan Sullivan, Yannick Bright<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIndiana Vassilev gives Philadelphia an early lead<\/h2>\n\n\n\nPhiladelphia Union made an energetic start and opened the scoring after only 11 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cavan Sullivan helped move the ball down the right before Frankie Westfield delivered a dangerous pass into the penalty area. Indiana Vassilev met it with a powerful first-time finish, beating Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The home side continued to create opportunities, but Miami responded through the creativity of Messi and the experience of Luis Su\u00e1rez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Messi\u2019s brilliant pass creates Inter Miami equalizer<\/h2>\n\n\n\nInter Miami drew level in the 21st minute following an outstanding piece of vision from Messi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The eight-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner delivered an accurate ball toward Su\u00e1rez on the left side of the Philadelphia penalty area. Su\u00e1rez redirected it with his head, allowing 19-year-old academy product D\u00e1niel Pint\u00e9r to finish from close range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was Pint\u00e9r\u2019s first MLS goal and another example of Messi\u2019s ability to unlock a defence with a single pass. Both Messi and Su\u00e1rez received assists for their roles in the move, taking their respective league totals to nine and eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just five minutes later, Messi took control of the match himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lionel Messi scores emotional goal for his father<\/h2>\n\n\n\nReceiving the ball from Ian Fray near the right side of the penalty area, Messi shifted inside to create a narrow shooting angle. Despite being closely marked, he produced a trademark left-footed finish that curled beyond Andre Blake and into the far corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal gave Inter Miami a 2-1 lead and was Messi\u2019s 13th strike of the 2026 MLS regular season. It also brought him to 22 league goal contributions for the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More significantly, it was Messi\u2019s first goal since his father, Jorge Messi, died in Rosario on August 8 at the age of 68.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Messi raised both hands and pointed toward the sky immediately after scoring. The emotional celebration reflected the enormous role his father played throughout his life and football career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal was reported as Messi\u2019s 922nd for club and country, as well as his 70th in MLS. He reached the milestone during another influential performance in which he contributed directly to both Inter Miami goals. Hindustan Times reported the career and MLS totals<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inter Miami entered halftime with a 2-1 advantage, but Philadelphia remained the more active attacking team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Union\u2019s pressure was rewarded in the 58th minute. Milan Iloski delivered a dangerous free-kick into the penalty area, where 18-year-old defender Neil Pierre attacked the ball and scored with a diving header.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Philadelphia thought it had completed the comeback only a few minutes later when Iloski found the net. A VAR review, however, identified an offside offence in the buildup and the goal was disallowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hosts continued pushing for a winner, but neither team could find another breakthrough. Cavan Sullivan and Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright were both sent off during a chaotic period of second-half stoppage time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n |