Inter Miami - New York City FC summary: score, goals, highlights | Messi’s Noche d’Or
Inter Miami vs NYCFC: Noche d'Or as it happened
Peeep peeep peeep! Inter Miami's late push is to no avail, and NYCFC have pooped Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or party.
The game had started to become a touch ill-tempered; there's another little spot of shovey-shovey just after the final whistle, but thankfully it quickly fizzles out.
In the end, Messi got the full 90 at DRV PNK Stadium, but he couldn't stop his Miami side from being second best tonight. NYCFC were worthy winners.
That goal by Julián Fernández, by the way - what a beaut that was.
That's all from me; be sure to join my colleague Will Gittins for coverage of Seattle and Dallas' crunch MLS playoff clash, which is about to start at Lumen Field.
Thanks for reading!
He cannot.
He tries to curl the ball into Freese's right-hand top corner, but fires it over the bar.
Hello... Messi is brought down five yards outside of the NYCFC box, and Inter Miami have a final chance to level.
Can Messi bag another stoppage-time free-kick?
There'll be one minute of time added on at DRV PNK Stadium.
Allen and Rodríguez get involved in a bit of afters after a tussle in the Miami half, leading to a bit of argie-bargie.
Inter Miami are full of belief right now. Avilés fires an effort at Freese's goal from range, and the NYCFC keeper has to look alive to beat it out!
Messi is not far at all away from levelling!
Receiving the ball just inside the NYCFC half, he thunders forward to the edge of the box, before dropping a shoulder and cutting inside onto his weaker right foot. Having carved out a yard of shooting space, he aims a low strike at Freese's right-hand corner, but it flies just wide!
Over in Seattle, game three of the Sounders' round-one MLS playoffs series against FC Dallas is about to get underway. Kick-off at Lumen Field is at 10pm ET/7pm PT.
You can join my colleague Will Gittins for live-text commentary of that crunch clash.
Goal! Inter Miami 1-2 NYCFC - Robinson pulls one back!
Busquets threads a through ball into Robinson, who has peeled off into space on the left-hand side of the NYCFC box.
Robinson takes one touch to receive, and another to thump a low shot across Freese and in off the far post!
Comeback o'clock...?
Martino had suggested Messi wouldn't be getting the full 90 minutes tonight, but he remains very much on the field.
Miami pop the ball about for a good minute or two in front of the NYCFC defence, and...
Again Miami shoot, Robinson winning the ball back just outside the NYCFC box and thrashing a powerful effort at goal. Freese does very well to parry it behind!
Inter Miami make a double change, bringing on Robinson and Avilés. Ruiz and Gómez are replaced.
Just before that change, by the way, Messi was released into space to cut inside and shoot from just inside the NYCFC box, but was flagged offside. Freese saved, but replays showed that Messi was onside.
That's Magno's final involvement tonight. He's replaced by Alonso Martínez.
Miami's Miller is booked for a bit of a ropey challenge on Talles Magno.
Oh, wow. Fernández should have made it 3-0 there.
NYCFC work it out to the left to O'Toole, who zips a terrific low ball into the Miami area, right down the corridor of uncertainty. It's right onto Fernández's boot, but he can't direct it goalwards!
Any kind of decent connection, and that would surely have been three.
Miami do create a shooting chance for Messi now, though. Alba gets to the left-hand byline and cuts it back for his old mucker, but the Argentine thrashes it very high. Row-Z high.
Miami deal with the set piece, but with 20 minutes to go at DRV PNK, it's hard to see the Herons turning this game around right now.
Inter Miami huff and puff in attack - they've really struggled to create in this second half - before NYCFC win it back and break forward.
Stefanelli commits a foul some 35 yards out from Miami's goal, and the visitors have the chance to deliver a free-kick into the box.
Right away, Jasson has too much space to cut inside into the Miami box and shoot at Callender's goal. The keeper is equal to it, though, beating the substitute's effort out.
A few changes to tell you about.
For Inter Miami, McVey, Stefanelli and Allen are all on, with Yedlin, Sailor and Farías making way.
For NYCFC, Jasson and Haak are on for Parks and Bakrar.
NYCFC really do look very confident now.
Bakrar scampers forward to the right-hand byline, before firing a ball across the Miami box. Fernández collects and lays it off to Perea, who is well placed to shoot - but can only sidefoot it straight at Callender.
NYCFC are really in the mood now.
Bakrar plays a one-two with Magno, before haring into the Inter Miami box and in on Callender. He tries to thread the ball into the net at the near post, but sends his shot just wide and into the side-netting! So very close to 3-0 to the visitors.
Messi is so close to providing an instant riposte to that NYCFC goal!
The ball is lifted right to the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who controls and cuts inside. Jinking past O'Toole, he curls the ball left-footed towards Freese's right-hand post, but it flashes just, just wide!
Goal! Inter Miami 0-2 NYCFC - Fernández thumps home!
It's a lovely goal, both in its build-up play and Fernández's thumping finish.
Receiving the ball on the left, Rodríguez slips it inside to Magno. He doesn't even need to look before curling an outside-of-the-boot pass into the run of Fernández, who is arriving in space on the right at pace.
Without breaking stride, Fernández utterly wallops the ball into Callender's far top corner. Unstoppable.
Right away, Campana tries to fizz a first-time ball from the left into Messi, who's lurking with intent on the edge of the NYCFC area. Campana's ball is cut out, however.
Peeeeep! We're back underway in Fort Lauderdale.
Gray on for NYCFC
The teams are coming back out and it's just about time to get the second half underway.
NYCFC are making a half-time change, replacing Mitja Ilenic with Tayvon Gray.
Messi holds his head in his hands after missing a fine opportunity to score for Inter Miami.
(Photo: Rich Storry/Getty Images/AFP)
Miami faded as half progressed - Martino
We hear from Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino right after the half-time whistle.
"It's difficult when you haven't played for a few weeks, but we started well tonight," Martino says. "After that, our performance began to fade."
Peeep peeep! NYCFC have the advantage at the break.
Goal! Inter Miami 0-1 NYCFC - Magno scores!
It's a very cool finish from Talles Magno, and New York City have the lead.
Receiving the ball from the left, Magno has far too much space to control at the top of the box, advance into the area and thump an angled finish across Callender into the far corner of the net.
Messi touches the ball back to Gómez just inside the NYCFC box, but his shot is blocked.
A moment later, the hosts work it out left to Alba to ping another of his low, venomous balls into the area - but nobody in a pink shirt can connect with it. It runs through the danger area and out the other side.
Hmmm. Callender charges off his line and cleans Perea out completely inside the Inter Miami box... but a goal-kick is given.
"That's a penalty," Danny Higginbotham says on comms. Yes, yes it is. No VAR tonight, so the decision can't be overturned.
At one end, Messi fires over from 25 yards out.
At the other, Callender produces his second smart stop of the night when Bakrar is released into the right of the Miami area. He shoots low towards the near post, but the hosts' goalkeeper makes himself big to parry.
Oh, that's a bit of let-off for Inter Miami.
Magno peels off deep into space to turn, before spinning and threading a low ball into Rodríguez's run into the right-hand side of the Miami box. He waltzes forward to the near post, but proceeds to send an overhit, scooped ball into the middle that no-one in a blue shirt is going to get to.
At the other end, NYCFC's Rodríguez lets fly from 25 yards or so out from Callender's goal, but thumps it a few yards over.
Just as I write that, Messi spurns a golden opportunity to open the scoring! I can't believe he missed it.
Picking up the ball in a deep position, Messi scuttles forward, before feeding it left to Gómez.
Gómez plays it first-time back to Messi, who has advanced into acres of space about 10 yards out. He has to score... but he doesn't! He gets his feet in a tangle, and can't get a proper shot away.
There's been a fair amount of action so far in this first half in Florida, but we've just hit a bit of a lull in the last few minutes.
Little of note to report, and the noise inside DRV PNK has just dipped a little bit.
New York City win a left-wing corner, which Thiago Martins heads well over.
More of Messi and his shiny gong
Here are some more images of Messi showing off his Ballon d'Or, courtesy of MLS' social-media team:
Messi drops deep, collects the ball and sets off towards the NYCFC goal.
He plays a one-two with Farías, collects the return, and twists and turns into a pocket of space on the edge of the area. He pulls the trigger, but it's blocked.
Feels to me like a matter of time before Messi finds a way through.
I was just about to write that Miami have taken control of this game, but in fact NYCFC have just had a one, two-minute spell where they've had the better of the possession.
The visitors almost got Magno into space for shot from the edge of the Miami area, but he was quickly charged down.
NYCFC's Keaton is the first man into the book tonight, after bringing an Inter Miami break to an abrupt stop.
Messi goes close, not once but twice!
First, the Argentine receives just outside the box, jinks to the left and shoots from 18 yards - but sends it just off target.
A minute later, Farías plays it forward to Messi, who immediately turns away from two men and scampers forward towards goal. He looks to guide the ball low inside the near post, but Freese palms it behind!
That age-old Messi-Alba connection is looking really rather potent. The Argentine feeds it left to Alba, who has found a yard or two of crossing space. The left-back zips a low ball into the box towards Campana, but the cross is cut out.
Messi parades the Ballon d'Or pre-match at DRV PNK Stadium.
(Photo: Rich Storry/Getty Images/AFP)
Again Miami come forward and again Alba is involved. He slips it inside to Farías, who tries to drive into shooting space inside the NYCFC box. He's muscled off it, though, and the chance is lost.
At the other end, Inter Miami carve out their first opening - and it's a familiar piece of combination play.
On the left, Jordi Alba feeds it inside to Lionel Messi, who has peeled off into space at the top of the NYCFC box. Just as the decibels start rising in DRV PNK Stadium, however, Messi's shot is charged down.
It's the visitors who create the first chance - and it's a really good one.
O'Toole's left-wing ball down the line suddenly has Bakrar scampering in behind the Miami defence and into the penalty area. He shoots low, but Callender beats it out.
The loose ball falls right to Magno, but he sidefoots it off target!
Peeeep! We're up and running.
Right away, there are shouts of "Meeeessi, Meeeessi!"
Reminder: who's starting at DRV PNK?
Before we get underway in Florida, here's a final look at the teams:
Inter Miami:
Callender, Yedlin, Sailor, Miller, Alba, Gómez, Busquets, Ruiz, Messi, Farías, Campana.
New York City FC:
Freese, Ilenic, Martins, Risa, O’Toole, Rodríguez, Parks, Perea, Fernández, Bakrar, Magno.
Inter Miami vs NYCFC coming up...
After all that, we also have a football match for you.
The Inter Miami and NYCFC teams are out on the field and pretty much ready to go.
Messi parades Ballon d'Or
Messi holds the Ballon d'Or trophy aloft for the Inter Miami fans:
Messi promises more from Inter Miami in 2024
"I have no doubt that next year we’re going to do a lot better," Messi adds. "I'm confident we're going to carry on enjoying our football - and achieving things."
He spoke in Spanish, by the way. Shame: I was hoping to hear him flex his English muscles.
Messi: "Special to share this with you"
Messi takes to the field and, to huge cheers, holds up the Ballon d'Or for DRV PNK Stadium.
"It’s very special to share this with you," Messi tells the Inter Miami fans. "I haven't been here for long but it feels like I’ve been here for a long time."
Jorge Mas: "Messi wrote a new chapter in the history of Inter Miami"
Next it's Jorge Mas who speaks.
“Leo Messi wrote a new chapter in the history of your Inter Miami, of your football club," Mas says. "This football club was created on a dream. A dream that South Florida would house the best football team this country has ever seen.
“My partner and your owner David Beckham had the privilege to be in Paris to hand Lionel Messi the eighth Ballon d’Or - to the greatest player who has ever lived.”
And out comes Messi!
"You, Inter Miami fans, have the best player ever"
“When we founded this league 27 years ago [...], we wanted to be a league of choice for the best payers in the world - and you, Inter Miami fans, have the best player who has ever played the game," Garber says.
“Thank you, Leo, for your belief in Major League Soccer.”
Noche d'Or is underway!
The Ballon d'Or celebrations are indeed up and running. Inter Miami co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas take to the field with Don Garber, the MLS commissioner.
Garber speaks first...
Almost time for the festivities
The players have had their pre-game warm-up and the lights have now been dimmed at DRV PNK Stadium. Looks like things are about to get going...
Join AS USA for MLS postseason action
By the way, we also have MLS playoff action for you tonight. At Lumen Field, Seattle host Dallas in the deciding game of their best-of-three round one series, after Dallas levelled things up at 1-1 at the weekend.
The winners of Seattle vs Dallas will face defending MLS champions LAFC in the Western Conference semi-finals.
You’ll be able to join my colleague Will Gittins for live-text commentary of that game, which kicks off at 10pm ET/7pm PT.
New York City FC team news
New York City's team has also been confirmed. Nick Cushing has gone with: Freese, Ilenic, Martins, Risa, O’Toole, Rodríguez, Parks, Perea, Fernández, Bakrar, Magno.
Inter Miami team news
Inter Miami's starting XI is in!
Messi starts for the hosts, who start thusly: Callender, Yedlin, Sailor, Miller, Alba, Gómez, Busquets, Ruiz, Messi, Farías, Campana.
Ballon d'Or ceremony in another 10 minutes
It appears that we in fact have another 10 minutes or so to go until the pre-game Ballon d'Or ceremony at DRV PNK Stadium.
Inter Miami said 7:30pm ET in a tweet they posted earlier, but it's true that elsewhere they have said 7:45pm.
Golden boots for golden boy
Here are the special Adidas boots that Messi will be wearing tonight, in honour of his eight Ballons d'Or.
By the way, if you're still wondering where you can tune in to the Noche d'Or, you might wish to take a look at our guide on how and where to watch.
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In the meantime, let me point you in the direction of this piece by my colleagues Diego Gorostieta and Roddy Cons, who reveal that the Inter Miami squad got the Noche d'Or party started early on Thursday.
Messi and co were snapped by media agency World Red Eye at the Miami Italian restaurant Casadonna, as they said goodbye to the 2023 season.
Almost time for Ballon d'Or ceremony
It's approaching 7:30pm ET and the start of the Ballon d'Or pre-game celebrations.
As of yet, we don't appear to have any confirmed team news. I'll bring you that as soon as it drops.
NYCFC stuggling in front of goal
A major problem for NYCFC in 2023 appears to have been scoring goals.
Nick Cushing’s side scored just 35 in 34 MLS games - fewer even than in the curtailed 2020 campaign, when they played just 23 regular-season games. Inter Miami outscored NYCFC by six in 2023, despite finishing three places below them.
In 2021, the year they won their first and only MLS title, New York netted 56 times in the regular season.
NYCFC available after regular-season disappointment
New York City's selection as Inter Miami's opponents owes much to the fact that, like their hosts, the Boys in Blue failed to qualify for the MLS playoffs.
League champions in 2021, NYCFC finished 11th in the East in head coach Nick Cushing's first full season in charge, two points outside the playoff places.
It's only the second time that NYCFC have failed to reach the postseason since they made their MLS debut in 2015.
Messi checks in for Ballon d'Or bonanza
Here is the man himself as he arrived at DRV PNK Stadium earlier.
How long will Messi play against NYCFC?
It remains to be seen exactly what the scope of Messi’s involvement will be tonight.
Speaking to reporters pre-match, Miami boss Gerardo Martino suggested that the veteran will start against NYCFC, but may not get the full 90 minutes.
"Messi is in good physical condition and of course he will play on Friday, but it is possible that he will not play the entire game," Martino said.
Noche d'Or replaces cancelled China tour
Bottom of the Eastern Conference when they signed Messi in July, Inter Miami won four of their first six MLS games after the forward's arrival. However, with Messi struggling with injury in the closing stages of the regular season, Gerardo Martino's men failed to win any of their final six matches and finally finished 14th in the East, nine points outside the playoff places.
With no postseason action on their schedule, Miami had planned a two-game tour to China - but that trip was cancelled almost as soon as it was announced. Tonight's game against NYCFC, who also missed out on the playoffs, takes the place of those Chinese friendlies.
Comparing Inter Miami pre and post-Messi
Messi was unable to inspire Inter Miami to a late-season surge into the MLS playoffs, but his impact on the team's results has been significant - as our colleagues at SofaScore have illustrated in this graphic.
Messi's happy Herons start
Messi's time at Inter Miami may have had precious little to do with his Ballon d'Or triumph, but there's no denying that it has been exceedingly successful thus far.
In 14 appearances in all competitions, the 36-year-old has scored 11 goals, supplied five assists and led the Herons to the Leagues Cup title - their first ever piece of silverware.
(Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images/AFP)
Messi may be the only active MLS player to win the Ballon d'Or, but he's by no means the only winner of the award to play in the North American league.
Three other players - Kaká, Hristo Stoichkov and Lothar Matthäus - moved to MLS after clinching the France Football prize.
Messi the first active MLS player to win Ballon d'Or
I guess it's no surprise that Inter Miami are pulling out all the stops to celebrate Messi's record eighth Ballon d'Or. After all, he has become the first active MLS player to scoop the world-player-of-the-year prize.
That said, his time in Florida had diddly-squat to do with it; indeed, I make it that only his first two appearances for Miami were inside the August-July Ballon d'Or eligibility period.
As I'm sure you don't need me to tell you, Messi's Ballon d'Or victory comes down to his starring role for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball as he led the Albiceleste to their third global title.
(Photo: REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/File Photo)
Tonight's programme of events
The stadium doors are already open in Fort Lauderdale, where Inter Miami vs New York City is scheduled to kick off at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
Around half an hour before the game starts, there'll be a ceremony to mark Messi's Ballon d'Or triumph. The Argentine is to parade the trophy for the DRV PNK Stadium fans and give a speech, while Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas and MLS commissioner Don Garber are also scheduled to speak.
Inter Miami vs New York City FC: welcome
Hello! Welcome to our live-text coverage of what Inter Miami have dubbed 'Noche d'Or': at DRV PNK Stadium tonight, the Herons will celebrate Lionel Messi's recent Ballon d'Or win, before closing out their 2023 season with a friendly against New York City FC.