LA Galaxy - Inter Miami summary: score, Messi goal, highlights | MLS
LA Galaxy - Inter Miami: As it happened
LA Galaxy and Inter Miami played out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Sunday evening to bring the opening weekend of MLS to a close.
The hosts looked sharp from the first whistle and had a golden chance to go ahead early on when the impressive Joseph Paintsil won his side a penalty. Riqui Puig struck the spot kick firmly but Drake Callender made a fine save down to his left.
There was more good work from Callender to keep the scores level but the hosts finally broke the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining. A sharp counter-attack from LA resulted in a tap-in for Dejan Doveljic.
Miami looked to be running out of ideas until Galaxy midfielder Marky Delgado was shown a second yellow card with just three minutes of normal time remaining. With LA down to ten men Miami sensed an opportunity and pushed forward in search of a leveller.
It came in the second minute of added time, when Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba combined to slice through the hosts' defensive shape. Alba pulled the ball back to Messi on the six-yard line and the Argentine made no mistake from close range.
A sub-par performance from Inter Miami but head coach Tata Martino will be pretty pleased to have taken four points from the opening two games of the 2024 season.
Inter Miami looked the better team in their opening night victory over Real Salt Lake but that could not be said of Sunday's trip to LA Galaxy. The Herons were outplayed for much of the 90 minutes and looked incredibly vulnerable to LA's direct runners on the counter-attack.
Miami relied on some brilliant saves from Drake Callender, including an acrobatic penalty kick save from Riqui Puig.
Lionel Messi struggled to influence the game but ultimately it was him, in combination with Jordi Alba, that found a leveller. Tata Martino will want to see real improvement in the coming weeks but he'll be delighted that his side return to the East with a point.
Lionel Messi stole the show with his late goal but he was not the only big name at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday evening. As well as a selection of Beckhams, the likes of Edward Norton and Halle Berry were in attendance to see Messi and Miami.
Inter Miami snatch a late point in a game that LA Galaxy controlled for large stretches. The off-season addition of Joseph Paintsil looks like it could be a game-changer for the Galaxy, who now have the direct runners to compliment Riqui Puig.
Paintsil and late substitute Gabriel Pec will give LA a different dimension this year and Greg Vanney will be deeply frustrated that his team did not open their season with a win.
Watch: Lionel Messi goal draws Miami level
Jordi Alba charging down the left flank, pulling the ball back and finding Lionel Messi in the box to score.
It's a scene that could have happened at any point in the past decade but it happened again at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday night. Miami have not been very good but Messi has rescued a point.
Full time in Los Angeles
And that's all we've got time for!
A thrilling game in Los Angeles ends all square after Lionel Messi scores an injury time goal to bring his team level. Neither team will be particularly happy with that result, but it was a fascinating game to watch.
Galaxy take the free kick long into the box but they can't make anything of it. Goal kick to Miami.
Inter Miami attack breaks down and LA Galaxy can break.
Tomas Aviles steams into tackle and kills the LA momentum. He gives away a free kick, around ten yards into the Miami half.
Inter Miami win a free kick on the halfway line, right in front of the technical areas.
There's a bit of pushing between Pec and Busquets as we wait for the restart.
Miguel Berry gets the ball on the edge of the Miami box but can't quite make room for the shot.
LA keep the ball and Gabriel Pec looks to progress down the right flank. Miami defend well.
LA Galaxy clear the subsequent corner kick. They come forward again, they're not giving this up either!
That red has completely changed to complexion of the game.
Inter Miami want a winner and come forward again with Messi. He makes space for a shot but it's blocked in the middle, bouncing out for a corner.
Gooooaaaaaal! Lionel Messi
Inter Miami are level and it's Lionel Messi! He combined well with Jordi Alba on the left and made no mistake when the ball landed in his path.
All square in LA!
Borgelin does well to win his team a free kick on the halfway line. We haven't seen much from the Miami subs in the second half.
We'll have at least seven minutes of added time at the end of the second half.
Brilliant work from Miguel Berry down the left flank but he can't quite find Gabriel Pec with the pull-back.
So close from Messi!
Jordi Alba has the ball on the left flank and he pulls back a clever pass to the edge of the box. Lionel Messi pounces on the ball and whips his shot just wide of the post.
Marky Delgado
Second yellow for the LA midfielder and the hosts are down to ten men. It was a bit of a rash challenge on Busquets and it could have been dangerous.
Big chance for Miami to level.
Inter Miami go a little more direct and curl in a cross towards Leonardo Campana. The Ecuadorian forward wrestles for the ball but only succeeds in giving away a foul.
Two more Galaxy changes. Miguel and Aguirre come on to replace Paintsil and Joveljic for the final few minutes.
LA Galaxy break quickly and work the ball to Gabriel Peck on the right wing. He cuts inside and tries to curl one past Callender from the edge of the box but it's well saved.
Inter Miami progress down the right but Yedlin is tackled by Caceres.
Double change for the Herons. Lawson Sunderland and Snyder Borgelin come on for Diego Gomez and Julian Gressel.
Diego Gomez
The Inter Miami midfielder goes down near the touchline. It looks like Tata Martino is readying some changes.
There's more space for LA Galaxy now and that means more room for Joseph Paintsil to run. He skips past a challenge on the left and lets fly but his effort balloons over the crossbar.
Watch: LA Galaxy take the lead
It had been a long time coming but LA Galaxy finally broke the deadlock with a swift attacking move. Dejan Joveljic has looked like a nuisance and he's got the crucial goal.
It's a goal!
After a moment of uncertainty the goal is awarded and LA Galaxy take the lead.
Quarter of an hour for Miami to find something!
VAR check, potential offside
Hold on! Was Joveljic offside when the ball was played across the face of goal?
Nervy scenes for the home crowd...
Gooooaaaaal! Dejan Joveljic
Sensational counter-attack from LA Galaxy through Joseph Paintsil. He finds Puig who combines with Gabriel Pec and Joveljic in the box.
The Galaxy striker is on hand to tap the ball home. LA lead!
First chance for Gabriel Pec to impress the home crowd. He surges down the right and makes it to the edge of the box but is blocked off by Jordi Alba.
Good defending from the Miami man.
Good tackle from Aviles to get Miami moving forward. The ball is worked up to Messi but he loses the ball and LA counter-attack.
LA Galaxy change. Gabriel Pec comes on for his debut, replacing Diego Fagundez.
Huge appeals for a penalty as Paintsil's shot in the box deflects up and hits Busquets on the arm. Referee says no penalty, VAR agrees.
Great save by McCarthy!
Messi's free kick hits the wall and drops at the feet of Diego Gomez. The youngster's effort is good but the LA keeper does brilliantly to keep the low shot out.
Lionel Messi is felled on the edge of the LA box, free kick to Miami.
Good chance for a shot here.
Double change for Inter Miami.
Luis Suarez is replaced by Leo Campana. Robert Taylor off for David Ruiz.
LA Galaxy off the post!
Brilliant combination play between Joveljic and Yamane makes space for the latter to shoot on goal but his close-range effort cannons back off the post.
Miami survive, again!
LA Galaxy have started to reassert themselves in this game in the past few minutes, pinning Miami back in their defensive third.
Free kick for LA Galaxy is curled towards Joveljic at the back post. The LA striker is about to connect with a header but crumples to the ground, claiming a push from Gressel.
Referee says no but it's going to VAR...
Corner kick is played short but wasted by Miami. The ball ends up with John McCarthy in the Galaxy goal.
More good work from Miami to find Messi in the box. The Argentine spins on the ball and shoots at goal but it's deflected over.
Corner kick to Miami.
Messi tries to play the ball over the top for Suarez but Aude shields him well and pushes him wide.
LA go straight up the other end and there's a chance for Paintsil on the right side of the box. He pokes the ball towards goal but Callender saves.
Moment of excitement as Messi picks up the ball and skips between midfielders. He shifts the ball onto his left foot and strikes from distance but it's well-saved.
The Galaxy come forward again and win a free kick on the left, a very tight angle.
Fagundez floats the ball into the box but Inter Miami get it clear.
The free kick is curled in by Fagundez and Caceres flies in to poke the ball home. Callender charges in and clears the ball but catches Caceres in the process.
Joseph Paintsil
Moment of concern for Greg Vanney now, the new signing has stayed down after that challenge from Taylor.
He's now up, walking gingerly off the field. Looks like he'll be ok to continue.
Robert Taylor gives away a foul for a clumsy foul on Paintsil. Free kick to LA Galaxy near the touchline.
Miami lose the ball and there's space for Paintsil on the counter-attack. He charges down the right and isolates Kryvstov in the box.
He skips past the Miami defender and plays the ball across the face of goal, but Aviles is there to clear.
Inter Miami are looking much better in the second half, able to keep the ball and build attacks through the midfield.
Jordi Alba finds a pocket of space on the left and curls in a brilliant cross towards Luis Suarez, who can't quite reach the ball.
Jordi Alba
The Miami defender goes into the book after voicing his opinions on the referee's officiating.
Frustration for Inter Miami as a foul is called on Diego Gomez, just as he was about to pinch the ball off Riqui Puig on the edge of the Galaxy box.
Much more proactive start for Miami.
Big chance for Inter Miami!
Quick start form Inter Miami who get Jordi Alba flying forward down the left. He whips a loss cross into the middle but Diego Gomez can't quite convert.
Marky Delgado
The LA Galaxy midfield is shown a yellow card for delaying a restart from a Miami throw-in.
And we're back!
LA Galaxy get the second half underway.
Joseph Paintsil impresses on Galaxy debut
The 2023 LA Galaxy team were neat and tidy in possession, but often lacked a bit of directness in the final third. Step forward, Joseph Paintsil.
The winger arrives in MLS from Belgian side Genk and has looked like a real handful in his first 45 minutes. Sergio Busquets has already given away a penalty and picked up a yellow card due to Paintsil's pace.
Watch: Flying Drake Callender keeps Miami level
Barely ten minutes had gone when Drake Callender denied Riqui Puig from the penalty spot and the Inter Miami goalkeeper was in inspired form in the first half. Callender made a second brilliant save from Puig, tipping the ball onto the crossbar to keep the game goalless.
Half time in Los Angeles
And that will be the final action of the first half.
All square at the break but LA Galaxy have looked by far the better side.
Jordi Alba gets in behind the LA backline and squares the ball across to Luis Suarez in the middle. The Miami striker stumbles on the ball and his weak effort is saved by John McCarthy.
Suarez's blushes are saved by the linesman's flag.
There will be one minute of added time at the end of the first half.
Good work from DeAndre Yedlin to hassle Julian Aude but the Galaxy defender keeps possession.
The hosts play forward and find Joseph Paintsil dropping deep for the ball. He surges forward and tries his luck from around 30 yards. It goes well wide of the Miami goal.
Julian Gressel trots across to take it and plays short to Messi.
The ball is returned to Gressel and he curls in a cross from out wide. It's easily claimed by McCarthy.
Jordi Alba clips a pass down the left flank for Luis Suarez who wins a corner kick for his side.
Inter Miami have come back into the game in the last five minutes but they will definitely be the happier of the two teams is this is still level at half time.
Riqui Puig picks up the ball on the halfway line and clips a clever pass over the top of the Miami defence for Marky Delgado to chase. It's a little overhit, but the Galaxy midfielder praises the effort.
More good play from Inter Miami to work the ball through to Luis Suarez on the left side of the box. He tries to make space for a shot but his Uruguayan teammate Martin Caceres gets across to block it.
Clever ball from Gressel, sweeping the ball out to Taylor on the left.
Miami retain possession and Busquets fires a long pass out to Yedlin on the right flank, darting into the box. Yedlin gets to the pass but his first touch is intercepted and the Galaxy clear.
The Herons win a free kick on the halfway line. Aviles clips it forward into the box but Caceres heads clear.
The ball drops to Lionel Messi and the Miami captain tries to slalom his way into the box but he's crowded out.
Inter Miami win a throw-in in the LA half but struggled to find a way through the stout Galaxy defence.
There's a bit of aggro in the midfield as Luis Suarez clashes with Maya Yoshida. They seemed to be arguing about a free kick called on DeAndre Yedlin by the touchline.
Referee steps in to cool things down.
A Miami attack breaks down and Lionel Messi is forced to bring down Joseph Paintsil to prevent another counter-attack.
Desperate times for the Herons.
Breakaway chance for LA Galaxy as Riqui Puig plays in Joseph Paintsil on the right. He makes space for the shot but his effort is off target.
Finally an attacking foray from Inter Miami. A long ball forward drops to Lionel Messi on the edge of the LA box and he cuts a snapshot volley at goal.
The strike takes a deflection and John McCarthy claims the ball easily.
So close for Riqui Puig!
The corner kick is cleared as far as Riqui Puig on the edge of the box. He cuts inside onto his right foot and lashes a fierce strike towards the top corner. Drake Callender flies across and makes a sensational save, tipping the shot onto the crossbar.
That's Callender 2-0 Puig, but the scoreline is still level.
Galaxy build down the right again and Miki Yamane whips a ball into the box. It's intercepted by a Miami defender and goes out for another LA corner kick.
Riqui Puig does brilliantly in the midfield to breeze past Sergio Busquets and make space on the edge of the box. He takes aim but Puig's shot is ballooned over the crossbar.
Inter Miami clear the corner kick but it's back with LA Galaxy.
With little off-the-ball work from the Miami forwards, the Galaxy have a lot of time and space to build up from the back.
Paintsil forces sharp save from Callender
Clever pass from Riqui Puig to slip the ball through to Joseph Paintsil on the right. He charges through on goal and hits his shot firmly, but it's parried wide by Callender.
Nice interplay from Paintsil and Joveljic nearly makes space for a shot, but Miami manage to crowd the Galaxy forwards out.
LA curl in the free kick from the right and Maya Yoshida rises well to connect with a header. His effort is well off-target.
Sergio Busquets
The Miami midfielder is penalised for that cynical foul.
Sergio Busquets loses the ball in the middle of the pitch and is punished by Paintsil on the transition. Busquets is forced to foul the Galaxy winger to stop the advance.
Finally there's a spell of possession for Inter Miami, who have looked a little flustered in the opening 20 minutes.
Another sharp attack from the Galaxy finds Joveljic in the Miami box. He twists and turns to make space for the shot but Yedlin blocks his advances.
Riqui Puig is blocked by Sergio Busquets as he tries to push through the midfield.
Referee awards the Galaxy a free kick, but it looked a little soft. Suarez thinks so too.
Fluid interplay from the Galaxy on the edge of the box to create space for Fagundez on the left. He gets in behind the backline but some dogged defending from Yedlin keeps the hosts at bay.
Watch: Drake Callender saves Riqui Puig penalty
It looked like Riqui Puig would strike first against his former Barcelona teammates but the USMNT goalkeeper made a brilliant stop to keep the scores level.
Brilliant from Messi to finds Jordi Alba on the left flank. He gets to the byline and pulls a low cross along the six-yard box, but there's no one to poke it home for Miami.
Inter Miami have ridden their luck a bit in the opening 14 minutes and need to get a grip of the game in midfield.
The pace and inventiveness of Paintsil and Fagundez is causing the Miami backline real problems.
The subsequent corner is curled in to the box and falls to the feet of Joveljic. The Galaxy striker tries to spin on the ball but can't get his shot away.
Goal kick to Miami.
Callender saves Puig penalty!
Sensational stuff in Los Angeles as Drake Callender flings himself to his left and makes a brilliant save from Riqui Puig.
All square still!
Julian Gressel
The Miami midfielder is shown a booking for his reaction to that penalty decision.
Puig finds Paintsil in space on the right against and the new signing tears past Sergio Busquets in the box and is pulled down by the Miami midfielder.
Referee points to the spot, penalty to LA Galaxy!
More good work from Paintsil to burst down the right flank and curl a near-post cross towards Joveljic. The Galaxy striker gets his head to the ball but can't hit the target.
Inter Miami get players back and stem the Galaxy counter attack.
Joseph Paintsil looked very sharp on the break-away there, that's exactly what Greg Vanney needs from the new signing.
Lionel Messi takes the corner short but loses possession. Galaxy break with pace with Fagundez.
Good work from Diego Gomez to bring his side up the pitch. He works it in to Messi in the middle, who plays the ball out to Jordi Alba on the left.
Alba crosses the ball and Inter Miami win a corner.
Tomas Aviles tries a big diagonal pass to Taylor on the left flank but it's cut out by Caceres.
Considering that both these teams like to keep the ball, there has been a surprising amount of turnovers in the opening five minutes. There's some real off-the-ball hustle from both sides.
Clumsy challenge from Tomas Aviles on Miki Yamane. LA Galaxy win the free kick.
Riqui Puig is clipped by Gressel on the halfway line, winning a free kick for his team. The Miami midfield will have to keep an eye on the former Barcelona midfielder.
We heard in the build-up that Galaxy are going to try to press Miami along the backline and we've certainly seen that in the opening moments.
LA Galaxy have the ball in the net
Big controversy in the opening seconds as Busquets is robbed on the ball on the edge of his box. The Galaxy fire the ball past Callender but it's pulled back for a foul on Busquets.
The home crowd aren't happy!
And we're off!
Inter Miami get us underway in Los Angeles...
Inter Miami set for kick-off
Both teams are out on the field and we're nearly ready for kick-off at Dignity Health Sports Park. Lionel Messi and Maya Yoshida lead their teams out for this MLS clash. The stands are packed and we're nearly ready for the off!
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We're just minutes away from kick-off in Los Angeles. Lionel Messi will be the centre of attention but don't forget about LA Galaxy's own mercurial No. 10.
Riqui Puig played alongside Messi and co. at Barcelona and knows what it takes to come out on top against the Argentine. Here's what he had to say ahead of the game...
Messi and Suarez warming up in Los Angeles
The iconic duo - Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez - start again for Inter Miami tonight. They struggled a little during preseason but looked much sharper in Miami's opening night victory over Real Salt Lake.
Both Messi and Suarez recorded an assist last Wednesday and they will be eager to find the back of the net for themselves this evening.
LA Galaxy debut new 'Angeleno' jersey
Tonight's game is the first chance to see LA Galaxy's new 2024 home jersey in competitive action. One of the key details in this year's offering is the return of a sash, a big plus point for the traditionalist.
"We connected with our fans to identify crucial elements for the Angeleno Kit. One notable detail from their insights was the sash," said LA Galaxy Chief Creative and Brand Officer Will Misselbrook. “Our new kit encapsulates LA's rich soccer tradition, and its original design is a testament to the significance of our fans in shaping it."
LA Galaxy looking sharp in the warm up
It's a mild Sunday evening on the West Coast, the scene set for a thrilling encounter between two teams who are expected to make considerable improvement on last year's showing. LA Galaxy have home advantage for tonight's game and are boosted by the introduction of new $9 million signing Joseph Paintsil in the forward line.
The Galaxy look focused as they're put through their paces ahead of kick-off.
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In the past seventh months Inter Miami have been on a signing streak unlike anything seen before in MLS. Lionel Messi has taken the headlines but Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have followed their former Barcelona teammate, while Julian Gressel arrives with considerable MLS pedigree.
So after all that hard work, how much are the Herons worth now?
Paintsil x Puig, a new connection
Riqui Puig starred for LA Galaxy last season, dominating the league's passing and chance creation statistics with his vision and on-field intelligence. What the Galaxy didn't have, however, were the direct runners and clinical finishers needed to make the most of the chances created by Puig.
In the off-season they spent big to bring in Joseph Paintsil from Belgium side Genk for a reported $9 million. The pacey winger scored 18 times for Genk last season and he could prove a valuable asset for the Galaxy.
Inter Miami soaking in the atmosphere
The Herons are going through their pre-game routines in Los Angeles ahead of tonight's MLS clash. The Inter Miami squad have had four days to recover from their opening day victory over Real Salt Lake and they will be confident of continuing that winning start against a much-changed LA Galaxy team.
Nicolas Freire returns to the Miami matchday squad
Inter Miami supporters will be buoyed by the news that Nicolas Freire is fit enough for a place on the bench this evening after missing out on the team's MLS opener on Wednesday. Freire arrived on a season-long loan from Pumas UNAM but he was unable to feature much in preseason due to a muscular injury.
Ahead of Wednesday's game Tata Martino explained: “Freire is in doubt, but we have not yet confirmed his absence. We are evaluating with the medical staff to what extent there is a risk and to what extent there is no risk."
He was deemed unfit to take part in the Real Salt Lake fixture but could be called upon against the Galaxy this evening.
David Beckham, still drawing crowds
With Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba on the field, you'd think that it will be pretty hard for anyone to upstage the Inter Miami squad. But, somehow, David Beckham may just have managed it.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan midfielder spent five years with LA Galaxy as is clearly still popular on the West Coast.
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Robbie Keane knows what it takes to win MLS Cup.
After more than a decade in the Premier League he joined LA Galaxy an d helped to bring about a period of epochal success for the MLS side. He picked up three MLS Cup titles during his time in LA and believes that Inter Miami have what it takes to be crowned champions.
He said: "With the Barcelona guys coming back and Luis Suarez now there as well, it will be interesting to see. They’ve definitely got every chance to win the MLS Cup, no question about it.”
And here's the LA Galaxy line-up
Interesting selections from Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney this evening. He opts to give an MLS debut to new signing Joseph Paintsil but fellow newbie Gabriel Pec starts on the bench tonight.
John McCarthy makes his first appearance in goal since signing from rivals LAFC.
Inter Miami team news to take on LA Galaxy
Here it is, confirmation that Inter Miami will start with an unchanged side against LA Galaxy. Herons head coach Tata Martino was clearly impressed by what he saw from this team on Wednesday and has named the same starting XI.
We're little over an hour from kick-off in the MLS clash between LA Galaxy and Inter Miami. We will be bringing you full live coverage of the game right here, but you can also choose to stream or watch the game.
Here's everything you need to know...
David Beckham returns to former club
The Englishman had a storied career across some of the biggest clubs in the planet. In 2007 he announced that he was leaving Real Madrid to join LA Galaxy and he helped the club to a spell of historic success, winning three MLS Cup titles in four years.
Tonight the former Galaxy star returns to face his old team.
The Herons have landed
The Inter Miami team coach has pulled up at Dignity Health Sports Park for this MLS clash. Lionel Messi looked to be in high spirits as he arrived at the stadium, shadowed by his omnipresent bodyguard, of course.
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Who can Inter Miami call upon tonight? Well, for once, it looks like the four ex-Barcelona stars are all fit enough to play and head coach Tata Martino has suggested that he could name an unchanged team to take on LA Galaxy.
Here's what Martino had to say ahead of kick-off...
Nicolas Freire could return for Miami
Experienced defender Nicolas Freire was supposed to fill the gap left by Kamal Miller, but the Argentinian centre back picked up a slight injury in the final game of Miami's preseason schedule. He missed out on their MLS opener against RSL but appears to be back in the squad for tonight's game.
We'll have full team news as soon as it's announced.
Good evening and welcome to AS USA!
I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you full live coverage of the MLS clash between LA Galaxy and Inter Miami.
It was a busy off-season for both teams and considerable improvement is expected from them in 2024. The Galaxy start their MLS campaign with this visit from the Herons; Inter Miami are looking to build on Wednesday's 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake.
Away we go...