Sporting Kansas City - Inter Miami summary: goals, stats and highlight | MLS

What is the Jordi Alba injury picked up against Sporting Kansas City?

It was a night of victory of Inter Miami, important after a disappointing midweek showing against Monterrey. But their spirits were dampened by an injury to Jordi Alba that forced him from the field late on. 

What we know about Jordi Alba's injury

Inter Miami celebrate road win

They were made to work for it, but Inter Miami returned to winning ways with a victory over Sporting Kansas City in front of 70,000 supporters at Arrowhead Stadium. Goals from Diego Gomez, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez secured the three points. 

Peeeep peeeeeep peeeeeeeeeeep

That's all from a thrilling game at Arrowhead Stadium. Inter Miami pick up a hard-fought victory on a historic night for Kansas City soccer. 

There's a late flurry from Sporting KC as Alan Pulido and then Jake Davis try their luck from distance. Neither can find a way through, that might be that...

Tim Melia punts a long ball forward but it's overhit and Drake Callender comes out to claim it. That was a waste for the hosts, who are running out of time. 

Nearly a chance for Sporting Kansas City as they clip the ball forward towards Alan Pulido in the box. He can't quite control it and the ball bounces behind for a Miami goal kick. 

Good run forward from Lionel Messi to bring his team up the field. He finds Suarez on the left of the box, who tries an ambitious shot from distance. Melia saves easily. 

Inter Miami are struggling to get a hold of the ball now, forced to go long to clear the danger on multiple occasions. 

Yannick Bright comes on for Miami. He replaces Diego Gomez, who has a goal and an assist tonight. 

Brief delay for another Messi-seeking pitch invader, the second of the evening, before the game can restart. 

There will be nine minutes of added time. 

Luis Suarez fails to control a long ball forward. The Uruguayan has his goal, but he's looked a bit off the pace tonight. 

Inter Miami win a free kick on the left. Messi curls it in towards the back post but it's overhit and Sporting get it clear. 

Johnny Russel, on as a late sub, clashes with Sergio Busquets in the midfield. That'll eat up some more time for Miami. 

Sporting KC are trying to get something going in the final stages but they definitely seem to be tiring now. 

Radoja

The Sporting Kansas City midfielder is the next into the book. 

Inter Miami looking to take the sting out of the game now with some calm passing. Busquets, of course, is central to that effort. 

He draws a foul from Hernandez, wasting more time. 

Felipe Hernandez

The Sporting substitute is booked for a late challenge on Messi. 

Jordi Alba comes off. Franco Negri comes on. 

Jordi Alba

Big concern for Miami as the Spaniard goes down. He was nowhere near any other player, suggesting that this could be a muscular issue. 

He seems to be holding his hamstring. He may not be able to continue. 

There's a bit of a coming together as Jordi Alba flies into a tackle on Erik Thommy. The referee lets the tackle go but Alba's reaction, claiming that Thommy dived, lands him in trouble. 

Sporting Kansas City are getting a bit of a reputation for conceding goals in the final stages and they've done so again tonight. Can they fight back in front of a ferocious home crowd?

Inter Miami retake the lead!

Sergio Busquets has Diego Gomez and Benjamin Cremaschi either side of him now, plenty of energy to compensate for his aging legs. 

Early touches for Cremaschi as he tries twice to find Luis Suarez in the middle of the box, but can't quite fire the ball through to the Uruguayan. 

Benjamin Cremaschi comes on for his season debut. Julian Gressel trots off. 

Jordi Alba wins a free kick on the left flank, giving Inter Miami a chance to make that change. 

it looks like Benjamin Cremaschi is getting readied for Inter Miami. This will be a first appearance of the season for the young midfielder, who has just returned from injury. 

Inter Miami are looking to take the energy out of the game, slowing the play down with a spell of solid possession. This suits the visitors, and their aging superstars. 

Watch: Another stunner from Erik Thommy

He's on one tonight! Erik Thommy bagged his second of the game with this lethal first-time volley, firing home past Drake Callender. 

Sporting have a chance for another as William Agada spins on the edge of the box and looks to play in Alan Pulido. He can't quite find the Mexico and the chance goes begging. 

Should Agada have shot himself? Maybe he should.

Well, the good news is that there's another half an hour of this game still to go. 

Sporting KC level up a thrilling MLS clash

Diego Gomez

The Miami midfielder is booked for delaying a restart. Silly. 

Sporting KC are struggling to get a grip on the game now, their organised approach disrupted by that Messi howitzer. 

WATCH: Lionel Messi goal from distance puts Miami ahead

Sporting Kansas City started the second half well, but Lionel Messi has simply imposed his will on this match. The Argentine found a pocket of space and fired unerringly into the top corner from long ranger. 

A moment of unbelievable quality from Lionel Messi to put his side ahead. That's a goal and an assist for Messi so far tonight, and you know he's not finished yet!

How can Sporting Kansas City respond?

Mix-up at the back for Miami nearly gives Agada space for a shot but Aviles gets across to block the effort. 

The second half has began with the same frantic pace we saw in the first. Chances for both sides in the early stages, most notably for Luis Suarez from the edge of the box. Tim Melia saves easily. 

Promising move forward from Sporting as Alan Pulido clips a clever pass over the top for Erik Thommy. He runs through on goal but Jordi Alba gets across well to stop the attack. 

And we're back!

The action resumes at Arrowhead Stadium... 

WATCH: Erik Thommy gives Sporting KC the lead

Here's another angle of that opener from Erik Thommy, an emphatic strike from the edge of the penalty box. Brilliant finish from the Sporting KC forward. 

MLS

Alan Pulido interview: “Winning a title is the most important thing”

We haven't seen much of Sporting Kansas City's Alan Pulido so far this evening but he is a real danger man for the hosts. The Designated Player striker won MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 after battling back from injury to hit 15 goals for Sporting. 

Last year I spoke to the Mexican international about his journey back to full fitness and his ambitions with KC...

Alan Pulido on injury comeback

One goal apiece at Arrowhead Stadium

There's nothing between the two sides at halftime in a fascinating game at Arrowhead Stadium. Sporting KC started as the stronger team but Inter Miami began to control the play as the game wore on. 

And that's halftime at Arrowhead Stadium!

Fascinating opening 45 minutes as Sporting KC took an early lead and Inter Miami fought back. All square at the break, all to play for. 

Sporting win the ball back and look to mount one last attack. They go long for Agada, who holds off the defender but can't find Pulido. Inter Miami clear the ball. 

The Herons look to work something on the edge of the box but Diego Gomez is penalised for a nudge on a Sporting defender. Free kick to the hosts. 

Inter Miami end the half with a spell of good possession. They're making life difficult for the home team and frustrating the home crowd. 

Jordi Alba has been very influential in the first half, drifting forward as David Ruiz drops back to cover for him. It's a neat little movement and one that allows Alba greater freedom to impact the game. 

Remi Walters is not able to continue. He is replaced by Felipe Hernandez coming on. 

There will be a minimum of five minutes of added time at the end of the second half. Walter is still down, however, so it may be a little more than that. 

Remi Walter

The Sporting KC midfielder is still down in the Miami box, now receiving treatment from the medical staff. It wasn't a foul but it certainly wall a full-blooded tackle from Aviles. 

Sporting KC come forward again and there's a chance for Remi Walter, who is crunched at the final second by a brilliant block from Tomas Aviles. 

Walter has stayed down, referee says no foul. 

Good work from Alan Pulido to find Erik Thommy on the right. 

It's played inside to William Agada, who make space for a shot but can't beat Callender from 15 yards. 

So close from Lionel Messi!

The free kick is the best part of 30 yards from goal and the Argentine sends a sensational curling effort towards goal, just drifting wide of the post at the last moment. Brilliant effort form Messi. 

Julian Gressel is felled on the edge of the Sporting KC box. Free kick to Inter Miami, Lionel Messi territory...

Good interplay from Suarez and Gomez to work it out to the right, but Weigandt plays an aimless pass forward. The Miami right back has struggled so far. 

Lionel Messi is continuing to drop very deep in search of the ball. He looked a little isolated against Monterrey on Wednesday, is this Miami's solution?

Long ball forward from Sporting finds Agada on the run. He holds the ball up well but isn't so successful in looking for a teammate, giving the ball away immediately. 

Jordi Alba tries to break for Miami but is pulled down on the edge of his own box. Free kick to Miami, Alba wants a booking for Thommy but the referee declines. 

Good high press from Sporting wins the ball back on the edge of the Miami box. The ball falls to Alan Pulido, who tries to make space for a shot but is tackled by Freire. 

A few perfect, precise passes from Lionel Messi help Inter Miami to find some space in a congested midfield area. He's starting to pull the strings for the Herons. 

Erik Thommy brings the ball forward again for Sporting and wins a corner kick off Jordi Alba. 

Good delivery from the right but it evades everyone in the middle. 

Sporting KC enjoy a good spell of possession and work it to the edge of the box. William Agada tries his luck from range but can't get his shot on target. 

Miami work the free kick forward and Jordi Alba finds Lionel Messi on the edge of the box. Messi whips the ball towards goal but Melia saves well. 

The Herons starting to build some momentum now!

Sergio Busquets goes down holding his face on the halfway line, winning a fairly cheap free kick for his team. 

Lionel Messi is clearly not tired from the midweek exploits, dropping very deep to build the play. It looks like he fancies it tonight. 

Big calls for a Sporting penalty!

William Agada gets goal-side of the Miami defence and charges into the box, before being brought down by a clumsy Avile challenge.

But, wait! Agada was a foot offside and the play is pulled back. No penalty. 

Jordi Alba makes progress down the left flank and clips a ball in towards Lionel Messi. The Argentine connect with his head but can't hit the target. 

Inter Miami look to play the ball out from the back. Gomez does well again to hold off Jake Davis and retain possession. 

WATCH: Diego Gomez goal from Lionel Messi pass

It only take a second to score a goal. With a moment of incision from Lionel Messi Inter Miami are level at Arrowhead Stadium. Superb finish from young Diego Gomez, too. 

That leveller will have given Inter Miami confidence but it hasn't dented Sporting's control of the game. The hosts continue to pass the ball around neatly, looking to pin Miami back.

A real high-quality game unfolding here. 

Neat bit of interplay between Gressel and Suarez on the edge of the Sporting box. The latter tries to flick a pass through to Weigandt but its misplaced. 

Callender punts a long ball forward but Suarez can't bring it down and Sporting comes straight back. Peter Vermes' side are working well in the opening stages. 

Tomas Aviles

The Inter Miami defender goes into the book for a clumsy challenge on the halfway line having given the ball away. Poor from the youngster. 

A chant of 'SPORTING... KC' rolls around Arrowhead Stadium. 

There may be a bumper crowd for Inter Miami tonight, but the stadium is a sea of blue shirts. 

Brilliant from Agada to get to the touchline and clip a ball into the box. Pulido is lurking at the back post but Callender rises well to claim the cross. 

Good work from Alan Pulido to hold off Busquets and bring his team up the field. The DP striker is playing as a No. 10 tonight, linking the play and disrupting the Miami midfield structure. 

WATCH: Thommy goal fires Sporting KC ahead

Inter Miami are behind again! Lionel Messi and co. can only watch on as Sporting steal the ball and surge up-field, allowing Erik Thommy to fire home from the edge of the box. 

That early goal from KC has only heightened the atmosphere for this one. Inter Miami have a big task on their hands to quiet the home crowd and play their way into the game. 

Marcelon Weigandt was caught on the ball for that opening goal. Sporting burst forward and Thommy took full advantage of space on the edge of the Inter Miami box. 

And now a misplaced pass from Lionel Messi! The home crowd enjoyed that one...

A rare loose pass from Busquets is pounced upon by Salloi. He sweeps the ball out to the right and Thommy looks to build from there. 

Sporting are clearly committed to playing out from the back, looking to bait the Miami press and find gaps in behind. 

Fast start from both teams. Agada and Salloi combine well to bring Sporting up the field, it's all-action. 

Good start from Miami as Messi feeds the ball out to Weigandt on the right. He puts a low cross into the middle but Sporting KC clear well. 

And we're underway!

Sporting KC get us underway at Arrowhead Stadium...

We're nearly ready for the off at Arrowhead Stadium. The stands are packed and the conditions could not be better for 90 minutes of top class MLS action. 

Can Lionel Messi and Inter Miami bounce back from a poor run of form? Will Sporting Kansas City pile more misery on the struggling Herons?

We're about to find out...

MLS

Did Patrick Mahomes meet Lionel Messi at Arrowhead Stadium?

But before kick-off we've just got time for a bit more GOAT chat. Debates around the greatest of all time and long and unyielding, but Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi will likely have every right to be a part of that conversation by the time their retire. 

Watch: Mahomes and Messi

The teams are out at Arrowhead Stadium!

The players of Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami take to the field for this MLS clash. It's the first time since 2007 that Kansas City have played an MLS game at Arrowhead and this will almost certainly a record attendance for the team!

Kick-off is fast approaching now and the atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium is really something. More than 70,000 in attendance at the loudest stadium in the world. 

What an occasion we have in store...

Patrick Mahomes meet Lionel Messi and Miami teammates

The GOATs? Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi could, by the ends of their glittering careers, have a very decent claim to be the greatest players to take to the field in their respective sports. They share the same sporting pedestal but they are on different sides tonight. 

Mahomes is at Arrowhead Stadium to watch Sporting Kansas City and took the time to meet the Inter Miami squad ahead of kick-off. 

Arrowhead Stadium filling up nicely

Sometimes, the Globetrotters-esque Inter Miami take over stadiums around the country. Not so in Kansas City, where Sporting jerseys are everywhere and Lionel Messi was greeted with a chorus of boos from a significant section of the home support. 

We're expecting around 70,000 in tonight. It should be quite the atmosphere. 

MLS

Sporting Kansas City - Inter Miami: What is the history of Arrowhead Stadium soccer matches?

It's been a long time since Arrowhead Stadium hosted an MLS game, but it was formerly the home of one of the league's founding teams for more than a decade. The 75,000-capacity venue is best-known as the home of the Chiefs but it has an extensive history as a soccer stadium, and looks set to host games at Copa America and the 2026 World Cup. 

Arrowhead Stadium's MLS history

Inter Miami are out at Arrowhead Stadium!

Lionel Messi takes to the field at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium, home of Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs. We're expecting a crowd of more than 70,000 people at the Arrowhead tonight, one of the biggest MLS attendances on record!

Daniel Salloi rocks vintage Kansas City Wizards jersey

The Sporting KC captain strolls the turf at Arrowhead Stadium and certainly looked the part. The Kansas City Wizards were one of MLS' founding clubs and they played at Arrowhead for the first decade of their time as a club, finally moving out in 2007. 

Tonight is the first time that Kansas City have played a competitive fixture at the Arrowhead since leaving in 2007. Team captain Daniel Salloi marks the occasion perfectly. 

MLS

Inter Miami team news: Confirmed starting XI against Sporting Kansas City

Want the full scoop on the Inter Miami line-up? We know that Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and the rest of the ex-Barcelona quartet are all fit to start but the Herons are without a number of other potential starters. 

Here's what we know about Inter Miami's injury list and when they're expected to return...

Who is out for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami team news confirmed

Here it is! As expected, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba all start. 

Full-strength from Inter Miami. 

Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead to watch Sporting KC - Inter Miami

What is the collective term of GOATs? We may well need to find one for tonight's clash at Arrowhead Stadium, where Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is in attendance to watch as Lionel Messi's Inter Miami come to town. 

Mahomes' jersey and helmet have been placed in the Sporting KC locker room for today's game, a nice tough for the MLS side as they prepare to take to the field in front of 70,000 fans. 

Sporting Kansas City team news to face Inter Miami

Here's the hosts' team this evening, a strong starting XI for head coach Peter Vermes. DP striker Alan Pulido starts up front, Daniel Salloi captains the team this evening. 

Salloi, a massive Kansas City Chiefs fan, will lead his team out at Arrowhead Stadium. 

MLS

Sporting Kansas City - Inter Miami: What is the Arrowhead Stadium capacity and how much do tickets cost?

The home of the Kansas City Chiefs is one of the most intimidating venues in NFL and boasts an incredible world record. A September 2014 meeting between the Chiefs and the New England Patriots holds the world record for the loudest sports stadium after levels reached 142.2 decibels during the second quarter.

We're expecting a brilliant atmosphere once again today...

How much are tickets?

Lionel Messi arrives at Arrowhead Stadium

Here he is! The Argentine strolls in alongside long-time friend Luis Suarez ahead of tonight's game, a crucial chance for Inter Miami to recapture some lost momentum after a tricky spell of recent results. 

Inter Miami ready for Arrowhead Stadium

It's one of the most iconic sporting venues in the United States. Arrowhead Stadium is the home of back-to-back Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs but tonight, for one night only, will play host to a fascinating MLS clash. 

We're expecting more than 70,000 people tonight as Inter Miami travel to Sporting KC. 

MLS

Will Messi play Saturday’s game against Sporting Kansas City?

First things first, will we see the greatest player of all time this evening? Lionel Messi missed four matches due to a hamstring injury but was back to play 90 minutes against Monterrey on Wednesday. 

Here's what the Inter Miami coaching staff have said about his fitness...

Will Messi play?

Hello and welcome to AS USA, where we will be bringing you full live coverage of Sporting Kansas City - Inter Miami in MLS. 

I'm Will Gittins and I'll be taking you through all of the action as Lionel Messi and co. look to bounce back from a chastening midweek loss to Monterrey. 

Away we go...