Inter Miami - Newell’s Old Boys summary: score, goals & highlights | Friendly fixture
Inter Miami - Newell's Old Boys: As it happened
Borgelin bullet gives Inter Miami preseason draw
Inter Miami end their busy preseason fixture list with a 1-1 draw against Lionel Messi's boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys. The Herons were on top in the first half with Messi creating chances for Diego Gomez and Luis Suarez but neither could take advantage.
The pace of the game slowed in the second half and Messi and Suarez were both withdrawn on the hourmark. But just minutes later Miami were ahead, substitute Shanyder Borgelin rising highest at a corner kick to nod the ball home.
It looked like Miami might see out the result but a lapse at the back allowed Franco Diaz to run in on goal and slot the ball past Drake Callender.
The scores remained level and Miami's preseason comes to an end. In just six days time they take on Real Salt Lake in the MLS season opener. Is this work-in-process team ready for the start of competitive fixtures? We'll find out next week.
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Inter Miami end their preseason schedule with a hard-fought draw with Newell's Old Boys. The Herons looked sharp in the first half, spurred on by some Messi magic, but they lost momentum with the various second half substitutions.
Tata Martino does at least appear to have settled on a new system, opting for a 4-3-3 for tonight's game.
Peeeep peeeeep peeeeeeep
The corner kick is claimed by Hoyos and that'll be that.
Full time whistle at DRV PNK Stadium. Inter Miami 1-1 Newell's Old Boys.
Sunderland does well to slip Borgelin through on the right flank. The 22-year-old wins a corner kick for his team.
This will be Miami's final chance...
The ball is swung in from the right but headed clear by Yedlin. The Herons survive.
Newell's win a corner kick in the dying seconds. Can they fashion another chance?
Rodrigo Fernandez brings the ball out of defence for Newell's. The visitors are looking for a winner in the final minutes.
Remember, you can watch Inter Miami's 2024 season with the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
There will be three additional minutes at the end of the second half.
Robert Taylor takes the free kick but balloons his effort well over the crossbar. He really needed to make the most of that chance, with Lionel Messi off the field.
He may not get many more chances this season.
Brilliant run from Ryan Taylor to win his side a free kick on the edge of the box. Good chance for a shot on goal here.
That Newell's goal really shows the dangers of Inter Miami's lack of defensive depth. Aviles and Freire have now been substituted and the second-choice options are far from ideal.
Goalscorer Diaz is confident now and tries a long-range effort. Easily saved by Callender.
It's all to play for now!
Goooooaaaaal! Newell's Old Boys
Terrible mistakes at the back for Miami, Sunderland and Sailor to blame, and Franco Diaz runs onto the loose ball. He makes no mistakes from 12 yards out and Newell's are level.
1-1.
Another big chance for Newell's this time it's a cross from the left that is met well but Giovani Chiaverano cannot convert.
The regularity of the second half substitutions has robbed this game of it's fluidity but it's a chance for Inter Miami to give their squad players a run-out.
Borgelin does well to feed the ball through to Campana in the box. The Ecuadorian tries to clip the ball over Hoyos but his effort is saved.
Borgelin has looked good so far.
Jaime, Martino and Mendez come on for Newell's. They replace Calderara, Schott and Miljevitic.
Another clever pass from Mota finds Borgelin at the back post. He cuts inside and aims to shoot but his path is blocked by Newell's defenders.
Tomas Aviles is off for Inter Miami. Ryan Sailor will come on his his place.
Moment of concern for Tomas Aviles, who is down clutching his face. The 20-year-old center back is receiving treatment on the field.
It looked like a case of flailing arms in an aerial challenge. It's nothing serious.
Good play from Jean Mota to step onto the ball in midfield and curl a pass to the back post. No one reads his pass and it bounces harmlessly through the Newell's box.
Interesting to see that Inter Miami are sticking to the 4-3-3 this evening. The 5-3-2 has got plenty of airtime in preseason but very little success.
If they can find a reliable defensive pairing, this system looks better-suited to Miami's squad.
Confirmation of those changes.
Jordi Alba and Yannick Bright are off. Jean Mota and Israel Boatwright come on.
Yannick Bright has picked up a knock for Inter Miami. He's off the pitch and won't return, more Miami subs incoming.
Good link-up play from Campana to hold up the ball and then latch onto the return pass on the left flank. He powers his way towards goal but runs out of steam.
Impressive start from Campana.
Do Inter Miami even need Lionel Messi?
Well, quite clearly yes. But it's nice that, on this occasion, it was a young player who came to the rescue for the Herons.
Borgelin has been playing on the right of a front three and took his opportunity with aplomb.
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It's as easy as that!
After Inter Miami struggled to find that finishing touch for the first 60 minutes, it has taken young Shanyder just two minutes to hit the back of the net.
He connected well with the corner kick, rising high at the back post, and nodded the ball past Hoyos.
Goooooaaaaal! Inter Miami
It's the breakthrough. A corner kick and a brilliant header from Shanyder Borgelin!
Inter Miami lead.
Taylor swings in a cross towards Campana, who looks set to poke the ball home. He's one-on-one but Newell's get players back to block it.
Corner to Miami.
Lets see how Inter Miami set up with those changes.
Leo Campana will lead the line in Suarez' absence, so it looks like Taylor and Borgelin will play on either wing.
Big chance for Campana to stake a claim for a place in the team.
Quadruple change for Inter Miami
Big changes for the hosts as Messi, Suarez and Gressel are withdrawn.
Campana, Sunderland and Borgelin enter the game.
Chance for Newell's on the break, latching onto a loose ball but firing over from the edge of the box.
The second corner is more successful and plays Messi into the penalty box on the left. He jinks inside and tries to poke the ball past Hoyos but his shot is just wide.
Inter Miami win another corner, which they take short this time. Messi and Jordi Alba combine but can't make space in the box.
Another corner to Miami...
On today's evidence, Luis Suarez is still not gelling with this Inter Miami side. He is struggling to hold up the ball and offers precious little without it.
Fernandez picks up the ball in the middle for Newell's and lets fly from 30 yards. It hits it well but it's off-target, never troubling Callender.
The ball is easily cleared and Newell's win the goal kick.
Good link-up from Messi and Gressel to progress through the middle. They sweep the ball out to Jordi Alba on the left, who fires in a low cross.
The delivery is cleared for a corner kick, which Taylor will take...
Inter Miami are looking a lot more vulnerable in the opening minutes of the second half. Those halftime changes are breathed new life into Newell's.
Big chance for Newell's!
Fernandez does well to feed Miljevic on the left. He cuts inside and fires a ball across the face of goal. Callender does well to push the ball clear and the visitors can't pounce on the rebound.
Inter Miami survive.
Bit of a mix-up between Suarez and Taylor on the left flank. The former throws up his hands in frustration as the latter fails to read his pass.
The visitors have come out a little sharper in the second half. Newell's close down Jordi Alba well, making life difficult for Miami.
There's a wild effort from Miljevic on the edge of the box. His half-volley flies over the Inter Miami goal.
Nicolas Freire's Inter Miami debut only last 45 minutes but he impressed this evening. Miami gave away fewer chances and he looked solid on the ball throughout.
Let's see what Allen can do in the second half.
There's a double change for Inter Miami at the break.
Gomez and Freire are withdrawn. On comes Robert Taylor and Noah Allen in their places.
And we're back!
Inter Miami get the second half started...
Lionel Messi is out for the second half!
Much to the delight of everyone in attendance at DRV PNK Stadium, the Inter Miami captain strolls back out onto the field.
We're hearing that there will be widespread changes for Newell's at the break.
Let's see what Inter Miami will do for the second half.
As we await the start of the second half, here's a reminder of the Herons' priorities for the season.
Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino revealed that he is targeting the CONCACAF Champions League. Why not, I suppose.
The teams are trotting back onto the turf at DRV PNK Stadium.
It's not immediately clear if there's any halftime substitutions, let's take a look...
10/10 for Lionel Messi
Newell's Old Boys and Inter Miami may well hold the distinction of being the first and last clubs of Lionel Messi. The diminutive Argentine have weaved a path of destruction across world soccer during his 20-year professional career but has not forgotten his roots.
Neither have those in Rosario, who still hold Messi close to their hearts.
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Promising start for Nicolas Freire
Luis Suarez is a modern legend. Julian Gressel is a reigning MLS Cup champion. But, in some ways, the most important of Inter Miami's new signings could well be Nicolas Freire.
The defender comes in to replace Kamal Miller, who impressed in the heart of defence for Miami last year. The Herons have looked vulnerable at the back throughout preseason but Freire has looked solid in his first 45 minutes in pink.
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All square in Miami
There were chances for both teams but neither has found a goal in the opening 45 minutes. Inter Miami dominated the ball and fashioned a number of good openings. Young forward Diego Gomez missed the best chance of the game for the Herons, firing over from close range after good work from Lionel Messi.
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Halftime in Miami
That's all we've got time for in the first half.
Inter Miami were on top and looked dangerous in spells, but are yet to find the breakthrough.
Messi swings the corner right in on Hoyos' goal but the Newell's keeper hold it comfortably.
Lionel Messi takes the corner from the right. He aims for the near post but it's headed away.
Another corner for the hosts...
Yedlin and Suarez combine well in the box and the Uruguayan looks to make space for a shot. His right-footed effort is powerful but is easily blocked. Inter Miami win a corner kick.
Good defending from Gressel to clear a long ball intended for Balzi on the right flank. He's been everywhere so far for Miami.
The halftime whistle is now just minutes away and Inter Miami will feel like they should be ahead.
Miami miss another chance
Another brilliant solo run from Messi who slaloms through the Newell's defence. He lays the ball off to Gomez at the back post but the youngster's effort flies over the crossbar.
Messi comes forward again and slips the ball to Suarez on the right. He looks to return the pass but it's cut out and the chance has gone.
Suarez was inside the box when he received that. Should he have taken the shot?
Luis Suarez does brilliantly to control a long ball forward. He hasn't had much opportunity to show it so far but his back-to-goal qualities will be crucial for Miami in this system.
So close from Messi!
Of course, it's Messi who takes it and whips the ball around the defensive wall. Goalkeeper Hoyos is beaten but the effort curls just wide of the post.
That was inches away from the opener.
Lionel Messi skips past a challenge on the edge of the Newell's box and is felled by a desperate defender.
Free kick to Inter Miami, around 25 yards from goal.
I wonder who will take it...
Big chance for Gressel!
Miami win a free kick on the right and play it quickly, slipping Ruiz into space in the box. He squares the ball to Gressel but he can't connect cleanly.
This is probably a decent impression of how Inter Miami will look to play in MLS. They have dominated the ball and are using their possession to help shield the backline.
It makes a lot of sense for this team.
Foul given away by Messi for an over-zealous challenge on the Newell's backline. He's looked very sharp in the opening 33 minutes.
First change for Newell's as Banega is replaced by Miljevic.
So close to some Messi magic!
The Miami captain picked up the ball 40 yards from goal and glides through the heart of the Newell's defence. He gets to the penalty spot and looks to stab the ball past Hoyos.
The Newell's keeper is stranded but the ball bounces wide of the post. So close to a brilliant goal from the Argentinian.
Jordi Alba and Julian Gressel bring it forward on the left for Miami. They can't quite fashion a chance but keep possession and reset through the backline.
Big chance Newell's
A swift attack from Newell's sees Ramirez flying through on goal. He tries to poke the ball past Callender but the Miami keeper does well to palm the ball away.
This Inter Miami formation is far from a conventional 4-3-3.
Suarez is playing as a central striker but Messi, Gressel and Gomez look to have fairly fluid roles behind him.
Newell's regain possession and look to grow into the game. Banega does well to pick out Balzi in the middle but Miami get numbers back to clear the ball.
Brilliant footwork from Messi to spin through a challenge and flick the ball out to Gressel. Inter Miami content to keep the ball in the Newell's half.
Good defensive work from Ruiz to pinch the ball back on the edge of his own box. Inter Miami look to progress down the left but quickly lose the ball.
No penalty!
He sticks with his original decision. No penalty for Inter Miami!
Play continues with a Newell's goal kick.
The referee was called across by his VAR team, suggesting that they believe he made a mistake with that decision.
Let's see what he says...
VAR check for a penalty!
Hold on... It's getting a check!
We're looking at Vangioni's clumsy challenge on Suarez in the box. Is there enough for a foul? It's hard to say...
Big appeals for a penalty as Luis Suarez goes down under pressure in the box. Referee waves away the shouts.
It was a neat move from Miami to get the Uruguayan running in behind but he couldn't quite fashion room for a shot from a tight angle.
Messi drops deep again and looks to build the play for Inter Miami. He looks much sharper than he did in any previous preseason fixture.
Golden chance for Diego Gomez!
Brilliant move from Inter Miami sends DeAndre Yedlin sweeping forward on the right. He fires in a low cross for Gomez but the youngster scuffs his volley from 8 yards out.
He had to do better with that.
Gressel has looked good in the opening stages for Inter Miami. He's drifting around the midfield, filling the gaps left by Lionel Messi and offered flexibility to the team.
Another direct run through the middle from Lionel Messi. He finds some room in the middle and looks to slip the ball through to Gomez on the left.
The youngster can't quite latch onto the pass, but it was a promising attack from Miami.
Inter Miami are sitting back now, looking fairly comfortable.
For Newell's, Aguirre picks up the ball on the left and swings in a hopeful cross. It misses everyone in the middle and bounces out for a Miami throw-in.
Good hassling from David Ruiz to push Banega back in the middle. The Miami youngster's industry will be crucial if this 4-3-3 formation will prove successful.
A sepll of possession for Newells now. Ever Banega is conducting the play in the midfield, looking to find the angle of a pass, but Miami stand strong.
Chance for Inter Miami!
Clever pass from Messi sends Suarez racing through on goal. Goalkeeper Hoyos gets out sharply to block the effort and Miami can't quite take advantage of the rebound.
Still 0-0.
First foray forward for the visitors as Banega looks to lift a pass over the top to Ramirez. It's a little too long and Callender claims easily.
Inter Miami look composed at the back with Freire and Aviles as the pairing. In front of them is Yannick Bright, the young midfielder picked up in the SuperDraft.
Incisive pass from Messi to feed in Jordi Alba on the left. The Spaniard latches onto the ball and looks to progress but he's tackled on the edge of the box.
Newell's win the ball.
There's a carnival atmosphere in Miami to welcome the Herons back to home soil. Drums, whistles, horns - it's all happening at DRV PNK tonight.
Good proactive play from Yedlin down the right. His dribble forward gets crowded out but Miami retain possession.
The corner kick goes short and Messi curls the cross in to the back post.
The ball bounces out to Aviles on the right flank and the defender fires in a dangerous cross. New signing Nicolas Freire connects well with the header but it goes wide.
First corner kick of the evening is won by Miami. Gressel trots across to take it.
An early touch for Lionel Messi, spinning away from Vangioni in the midfield. He pokes the ball through to Suarez but he can't control it.
And we're off!
Newell's Old Boys get us underway at DRV PNK Stadium.
The players are out on the field and we are just seconds away from kick-off now.
What an atmosphere in Miami for the final fixture of preseason!
Luis Suarez alongside Lionel Messi. / Sam Navarro / USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Luis Suarez prepares for DRV PNK debut
Luis Suarez was the big offseason arrival for Inter Miami and he is expected to bring the cutting edge that the Herons lacked for much of 2023. He has an impeccable scoring record across his career but has looked low on match sharpness so far this preseason.
Tonight he makes his DRV PNK Stadium debut. Can he start to deliver on the hype?
Inter Miami prepare for final preseason outing
The expectations on Inter Miami could hardly be higher for the 2024 season. They failed to reach the playoffs last year but the mid-season arrival of Lionel Messi transformed their season and led them to a Leagues Cup triumph.
Now, with Luis Suarez added to Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami have one of the strongest rosters ever assembled in MLS.
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From Old Boy to a man
Lionel Messi has conquered every mountain during the course of his two-decade professional career, but will forever hold a bond with the team where it all started out for him. Messi - born and raised in Rosario, Argentina - played for the youth team of Newell's Old Boys before making the move to Barcelona as a teenager.
Tonight, he reunited with his first love in soccer.
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Where is Gregore?
Eagle-eyed Inter Miami fans will have noticed a key absence in the midfield. The team's 2021 MVP Gregore is not in the matchday squad and is reportedly close to sealing a move to Brazilian side Botafogo.
Miami will miss his tough-tackling persona, but they do need to cut their squad size to ensure they can comply with MLS regulations on salaries.
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We're close to game-time at DRV PNK Stadium now. The stands are packed, the players are out, the scene is set.
Kick-off is just minutes away now.
The Old Boys of Newell's
Lionel Messi is not the only player who starred in Europe after starting off at Newell's. Maxi Rodriguez played for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool after making his professional debut with Newell's Old Boys. Ahead of tonight's game he caught up with Messi and current Newell's star Ever Banega.
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Tata outlines Messi's mysterious injury situation
“Leo had an inflammation in his adductor in the first game in Saudi Arabia [against Al Hilal], it wasn’t an injury that required stopping him completely or giving him special medical treatment. It was day-to-day."
“That’s why he played a bit more in Japan and tomorrow he’ll likely get more minutes in and, if everything continues the same way, he’ll be in good shape for the beginning of the season.”
Messi's out in Miami!
There's a huge roar inside DRV PNK Stadium as Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates take to the field. There's around 15 minutes to go until kickoff in this preseason friendly and there's a real sense of anticipation around the team.
The preseason results have been underwhelming so far. This is a chance for Inter Miami to show what they can do.
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The bond between a player and their first club is always special. In the case of Lionel Messi and Newell's Old Boys, that relationship have withstood the player's departure at a young age and the club has watched from afar as he conquered Europe and the world.
Here, we take a look at Messi's bond with Newell's Old Boys...
Newell's pay respects to the King
He may never have played a senior game for the club, but Newell's Old Boys still claim Lionel Messi as one of their own. He moved to Barcelona as a teenager but maintains a close bond with the Argentinian club.
Expect plenty of Argentinians in attendance at DRV PNK Stadium for this meeting of Messi and his boyhood team.
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Atmosphere building at DRV PNK Stadium
The Inter Miami stadium is filling up ahead of tonight's friendly against Newell's Old Boys. After a globe-trotting world tour the Miami-based fans have had relatively little chance to watch their team during the off-season and will be looking forward to a sight of the new-look side.
We're expecting a capacity crowd tonight, with a large Argentinian contingent in attendance for this rare spectacle.
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Change of shape for Inter Miami
It looks like Inter Miami are lining up in a 4-3-3 formation this evening, despite playing with a back five/three for much of the preseason. They had struggled to maintain possession in the final third with just Messi and Suarez leading the line and it looks like Tata Martino is going for a more proactive approach.
New signing Nicolás Freire starts alongside youngster Tomas Aviles in the heart of the defence. After the sale of Kamal Miller over the off-season it looks like this could be Miami's first-choice defensive partnering for 2024.
Inter Miami team news to face Newell's
Here's the Herons' final starting XI of preseason.
Tata Martino opts for a 4-3-3 to take on his former club. Lionel Messi and David Gomez flank Luis Suarez up front, Julian Gressel looks set to start as a central midfielder.
Sergio Busquets misses out after picking up a knock in last week's game against Vissel Kobe.
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Newell's Old Boys starting XI vs Inter Miami
Here's how the visitors line up this evening.
Former Sevilla, Inter Milan and Valencia midfielder Ever Banega starts for Newell's. Uruguayan striker Ignacio Ramírez will lead the line after joining from Nacional.
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We're around an hour away from kickoff at DRV PNK Stadium for this preseason clash.
We'll be bringing you full live coverage here but if you'd like to follow along in Spanish check out our colleagues' Inter Miami - Newell's Old Boys live feed...
Who will play for Inter Miami?
That's a tough one. Inter Miami's busy preseason schedule has forced Tata Martino to make countless changes to his team to keep his team fit, meaning that it's been difficult to get a handle on his first-choice team.
We're expecting to see a continuation of the 3-5-2 system that Martino has used for much of the preseason. Messi and Suarez will probably be involved in the forward line, with Julian Gressel likely to bring his industry to the wing-back role.
We should have team news from DRV PNK Stadium very soon...
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Tonight's game has been billed as a kind of homecoming for Lionel Messi, who played for the youth teams of Newell's Old Boys as a child. But he's not the only Inter Miami member with a connection.
Head coach Tata Martino had a storied playing career with Newell's and he is a legend there to this day.
Lionel Messi is in the house
He's back in Miami! Lionel Messi returns to DRV PNK Stadium, and he's brought a buddy with him.
Messi strolls into the Miami stadium alongside Luis Suarez. The duo have not quite found their Barcelona connection so far in Miami, but you sense that it will only be a matter of time before the goals are flowing once more.
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Perhaps the biggest talking of Inter Miami's preseason tour was Lionel Messi. Or rather, the lack of Lionel Messi. The Argentine packs stadiums wherever he goes but his 35-year-old body is no longer able to play with the same frequency as it once was.
But despite that, it looks like he will feature from the start tonight...
A special night for No. 10
Lionel Messi's stellar professional career has taken him all over the world. Barcelona, Paris, Miami. His crowning glory - the 2022 World Cup victory - took place in Qatar and he has never played as a professional in his home country.
Tonight, however, he gets the chance to take on his boyhood club.
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After a chaotic preseason tour, Inter Miami are back on home soil to conclude their preseason preparations. Tata Martino is expected to give plenty of minutes to his first-choice side, the team that are set to start in the MLS opener against Real Salt Lake next week.
Here's all the team news for Inter Miami...
Hello and welcome to AS USA! Inter Miami conclude their preseason preparations this evening with a friendly game against Newell's Old Boys.
The Argentinian club have a storied history and boast a number of famous former players. Most notably, perhaps, one Lionel Messi.
Inter Miami boss Tata Martino has confirmed that Messi will play this evening after recovering from a muscular injury sustained earlier in the preseason.
I'm Will Gittins, and I'll be bringing you full live coverage of tonight's action...