Inter Miami and Lionel Messi were in deep trouble against the Philadelphia Union, but salvaged a point in a wild 3-3 draw Saturday night in MLS play.
Philadelphia, who entered the night atop the MLS standings, held a two-goal lead thanks to two strikes from Golden Boot leader Tai Baribo and a third from U.S. men’s national team prospect Quinn Sullivan.
However, Messi took over in the game’s final minutes, scoring a spectacular free-kick goal in the 87th minute before notching an assist on Telasco Segovia’s stoppage-time equalizer. It was a fortunate escape for Miami, who saw the Union strike the crossbar just before and just after the Herons scored their late goals, but it will nevertheless serve as a boost after Messi’s side lost 3-0 at home in their last match.
Here are highlights of all six goals, including Messi’s, and blow-by-blow updates from the MLS match between the Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami:
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami highlights: Messi goal, assist in wild MLS draw
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: 3-3 thriller at full time
Never bet on MLS, as any league observer will tell you. Inter Miami trailed 3-1 entering the 87th minute, but a goal and an assist from Lionel Messi sparked a resurrection for the Herons, who secured a 3-3 draw against a Philadelphia Union team that entered the night as the league’s top side.
The Union will wonder how on earth this happened, but the answer boils down to brilliant strikes from Messi (who buried a direct free kick in the 87th minute) and Telasco Segovia.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Segovia strikes equalizer, Messi assist
Incredible! Inter Miami looked dead and buried, but Telasco Segovia has curled home a stoppage-time equalizer to potentially salvage a point on the road against the Philadelphia Union.
Lionel Messi has the assist too, with Messi dishing the ball off to Segovia expecting a give-and-go at the top of the box. That didn’t pan out, but Segovia — who has not scored since March 2 — capitalized anyway, burying a curling shot four minutes into second-half stoppage time.
Inter Miami’s Redondo in hot water with referee
With this game now at full intensity, Inter Miami midfielder Federico Redondo might have a serious problem with the refereeing crew.
The Argentine midfielder is booked for catching Bruno Damiani with an elbow, and we briefly pause play as the VAR booth checks the play for a possible red card. However, referee Drew Fischer has signaled for play to resume with no change to the call.
Redondo might be fortunate there, but so are Miami, with Jovan Lukic clipping the crossbar immediately upon play resuming.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Messi scores incredible goal
Inter Miami needs a hero right now, and Lionel Messi might just have sparked a comeback.
The legendary forward buried a direct free kick in the 87th minute, bending his shot over the Philadelphia Union wall and into the top corner.
Philadelphia Union nearly make it 4-1
We have plenty of action going on here. First, the Philadelphia Union very nearly have a fourth goal, with Danley Jean Jacques unable to bury a rebound and Tai Baribo denied after asking for a penalty kick following a tumble in the box.
Meanwhile, all of the following things have happened in roughly a four-minute span:
Jesús Bueno was given a yellow card for a foul
The Union replaced Indiana Vassilev with forward Bruno Damiani, returning to a 4-4-2 formation
Jordi Alba was booked for dissent
Miami substituted center back Gonzalo Luján, bringing on winger Fafa Picault to pursue a comeback
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Baribo strikes again, Union lead 3-1
Just when Inter Miami seemed to be knocking on the door, the Philadelphia Union have a third goal.
A long throw-in isn’t perfectly dealt with by the Herons, with Danley Jean Jacques’ eventual shot clipping a Miami player before bouncing across the box towards Tai Baribo. The Israeli forward may have been offside, but the call on the field is a goal, and a VAR check isn’t sending referee Drew Fischer to the monitor to reconsider.
3-1 Philadelphia, and that might be that for Miami.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Segovia goal called back for offside
Finally a bit of serious involvement from Lionel Messi, who strips Jovan Lukic of the ball and springs a lightning counter-attack.
The sequence ends with Telasco Segovia heading past Union goalkeeper Andrew Rick, but the goal is called back for offside. Replays show that was the correct call, though it was a close one for the Union.
Substitutions for both Inter Miami, Philadelphia Union
Following Tadeo Allende’s goal, we see substitutions from both teams.
Inter Miami went first, with Marcelo Weigandt and Telasco Segovia entering for Ian Fray and Tómas Avilés. That has seen Miami move Noah Allen into a center back role. Jordi Alba has shifted to left back, with Segovia setting up as a left winger in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The Union responded by bringing Jesús Bueno on for Mikael Uhre. Bradley Carnell senses that his side might have lost control of the game, and has shuffled things up by going to a more conservative 4-1-4-1 system.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Allende scores for Miami
Inter Miami has offered little, but suddenly have a shot in this game after Tadeo Allende pulls one back in the 55th minute.
It’s pretty simple stuff, as Noah Allen’s cross from the left found Allende unmarked between Olwethu Makhanya and Kai Wagner. Allende leapt up for an easy headed goal, tying him with Messi for the team lead by notching his fifth goal of the season.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Second half underway
Inter Miami has kicked off to start the second half against the Philadelphia Union, with the latter leading 2-0.
Big test for Lionel Messi’s star-studded Herons, who have now given up 12 goals in their last 315 minutes of MLS play.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Messi uninvolved as hosts lead 2-0 at halftime
Halftime has arrived between the Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami, and the top team in MLS leads Lionel Messi and Co. 2-0.
Quinn Sullivan and Tai Baribo have the goals, and both are going to make for ugly viewing when the Herons do video review of this match. Meanwhile, Messi has not had a major impact on proceedings, and the visitors have created just four total shot attempts and 0.29 expected goals.
Lionel Messi stats at halftime
Per Sofascore, here are Messi’s key first-half stats:
Shots: 2 (one blocked, one on goal)
Passes: 18-for-23 (78%)
Key passes: 0
Dribbles: 3-for-7
Expected goals: 0.09
Expected assists: 0.05
Possession lost: 10
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Tai Baribo strikes, host lead 2-0
The Philadelphia Union have added a potentially critical second goal just before halftime, with leading scorer Tai Baribo burying a chance from 14 yards.
It’s another grim goal for Miami to concede, with Indiana Vassilev and Mikael Uhre both simply out-hustling lurking Miami defenders to keep a lost cause alive inside the Herons’ box. Eventually, the ball found its way towards the top of the area, and with Baribo leading the MLS Golden Boot race, this ending was inevitable.
Baribo thundered home his shot, and Miami trails 2-0 as first half-stoppage time is underway.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Vassilev, Fray booked
A brewing dispute between the Philadelphia Union’s Indiana Vassilev and Inter Miami’s Ian Fray has ended with bookings for both players, with referee Drew Fischer having seen enough.
Fray clipped Vassilev near midfield, causing the latest flare-up between the two, who have been jawing at one another since the game’s early minutes.
Inter Miami forced to substitute Yannick Bright after injury
It’s not going well for Inter Miami, and the hits keep coming.
Defensive midfielder Yannick Bright is having to depart earlier than planned, with Federico Redondo entering to replace him in the 40th minute.
Replays show Bright grabbing his hamstring after leaping, and after a moment of treatment, it’s clear he can’t continue. Redondo is a like-for-like replacement, though he offers less of a ball-winning presence than Bright.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Messi jeered by Philly fans
You have to give it to Philly sports fans: they will boo anyone, especially if we’re talking about a visiting team.
Lionel Messi’s appearances on the road have caused some tension in other MLS cities, with home fans sometimes choosing to sell their tickets to fans of the Argentine legend. The reception as Miami has played away games around the country has often been less than hostile.
While there are pink Miami shirts peppered into the stands — this is Messi’s first competitive appearance in the region with Miami, after missing this trip last year during the Copa América — Union fans are very much loudly booing Messi as he takes a corner for the Herons. Some traditions never die, and Philadelphia fans are a clear example.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami: Quinn Sullivan opens scoring
Inter Miami’s defensive woes have continued, with the Herons doing a miserable job defending a seventh-minute Philadelphia Union corner kick.
There’s no way around it: this is an embarrassing goal for the visitors to concede. Philadelphia picked up on the fact that Miami was not paying attention just before a corner kick, with Kai Wagner quickly passing to Quinn Sullivan.
Sullivan — just days after receiving his first USMNT call-up — had plenty of time as a result of Miami’s lack of focus, and made no mistake with a splendid shot from the corner of the box.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami kickoff: Messi faces MLS league leaders
The Philadelphia Union have kicked off against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in this MLS regular season match at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.
What time does Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match begin?
The match will start at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina), and will be played at Subaru Park in Chester, PA.
How to watch Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami match?
The match is available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.
Is Messi playing? Philadelphia vs. Inter Miami starting lineups
Lionel Messi is in the starting 11 for Inter Miami, and will captain the team for head coach Javier Mascherano:
The Philadelphia Union starting 11 is below:
For Miami, the notable change is that Tómas Avilés has replaced normal starter Maximilano Falcón as one of the two center backs in what is expected to be a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mascherano also appears to be addressing a documented issue with veteran star Jordi Alba’s defending by pushing him up into an attacking role, starting Noah Allen at left back instead. That was the approach used in Miami’s last match, but Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Orlando City means the solution might need more work.
The Union, meanwhile, have brought Tai Baribo back into the lineup after giving their leading scorer a rest in Saturday’s 1-0 road win over Atlanta United. Head coach Bradley Carnell, deploying what will likely be a 4-4-2, has also restored normal starters Danley Jean Jacques, Quinn Sullivan, and Indiana Vassilev to the midfield. Center back Jakob Glesnes is preferred over Frankie Westfield (with Nathaniel Harriel moving to right back to make room).
Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union weather forecast
Per the National Weather Service, conditions at Subaru Park for the game between the Philadelphia Union and visiting Inter Miami should be unseasonably cool, but that should have no impact on Saturday’s match.
Temperatures are expected to hover around 60 during the match, with a 9-10 mph breeze occasionally gusting up to 20 mph. Subaru Park’s proximity to the Delaware River might exacerbate that aspect, but chances of precipitation are virtually non-existent.
Messi stats vs. Philadelphia Union: Inter Miami star has tormented Union
Lionel Messi has scored on just about everyone he’s faced in MLS, and he has done particularly well against Saturday’s opponent, the Philadelphia Union.
Since Messi came to MLS in 2023, he has been available to play in three of four meetings between Philadelphia and Inter Miami. In those games, he has scored four goals and added an assist.
Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union: Historical results, series history
Overall, Inter Miami boasts a 6W-4L-2D record against the Philadelphia Union since Lionel Messi’s club debuted in 2020.
Here is the all-time series record between both clubs across all competitions:
July 15, 2020: Philadelphia 2, Miami 1 (MLS is Back Tournament)
September 28, 2020: Philadelphia 3, Miami 0 (MLS regular season)
April 25, 2021: Miami 2, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
July 26, 2021: Miami 1, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
May 19, 2022: Philadelphia 0, Miami 0 (MLS regular season)
July 14, 2022: Philadelphia 2, Miami 1 (MLS regular season)
March 5, 2023: Miami 2, Philadelphia 0 (MLS regular season)
June 25, 2023: Philadelphia 4, Miami 1 (MLS regular season)
August 16, 2023: Miami 4, Philadelphia 1 (Leagues Cup semifinal)
June 16, 2024: Miami 2, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
September 15, 2024: Miami 3, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
March 30, 2025: Miami 2, Philadelphia 1 (MLS regular season)
Where are Messi, Inter Miami in MLS standings?
Below are the current MLS standings for the Eastern Conference. Where necessary, the tiebreaker involved to separate two teams will be noted after point totals:
Philadelphia Union: 29 points (plus-13 goal difference)
FC Cincinnati: 29 points (plus-4 goal difference)
Columbus Crew: 27 points
Nashville SC: 24 points (seven total wins)
Orlando City: 24 points (six total wins)
Inter Miami: 22 points
New York City FC: 21 points
Charlotte FC: 19 points (six total wins)
Chicago Fire: 19 points (five total wins)
New York Red Bulls: 18 points (plus-3 goal difference)
New England Revolution: 18 points (plus-2 goal difference)
D.C. United: 14 points
Toronto FC: 13 points
Atlanta United: 11 points
CF Montréal: 7 points
In the overall league standings, which are used to crown the Supporters’ Shield winner (a trophy given to teams with the best regular-season performance), Miami sits 11th, trailing five teams from the East as well as all of the top five from the Western Conference. Philadelphia, Miami’s opponent in Saturday’s game, leads that table as well.
Inter Miami recent results: Messi, Herons struggling with form
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are on a poor run over the last month, a stretch that has seen the Herons tumble down the MLS standings and get eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup.
After starting the season with a 5W-0L-3D run in MLS play and advancing with little fuss through the round of 32 and round of 16 in the Champions Cup, things have started to unravel for Miami. While they did survive a Champions Cup quarterfinal against LAFC, it required a comeback from two goals down, and may have been an early signal that all was not well.
Since then, the Herons have gone 2W-5L-2D in all competitions while struggling on both sides of the ball. The Vancouver Whitecaps dumped them out of the Champions Cup by a 5-1 aggregate scoreline, while Miami has also suffered a 4-3 home loss to a middling FC Dallas side before being thumped 3-0 at Chase Stadium by their Florida rivals Orlando City. Over the last seven games, Miami’s goal difference is minus-8, with their foes averaging just shy of three goals per game over that span.
Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami betting odds
Philadelphia is the favorite to win at home (+120), while Inter Miami is a road underdog (+195) with higher odds for a draw (+260), according to BETMGM. The over/under is set at 2.5 goals in the match.
Messi to join Argentina before Club World Cup
Messi has been called up by defending World Cup champion Argentina for qualifying matches for the 2026 tournament. Argentina will visit Chile June 5, and host Colombia June 10.
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
May 24: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 28: Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 31: Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET
Messi, Inter Miami schedule for Club World Cup
June 14: Inter Miami vs. Al Alhy, 8 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)
June 19: Inter Miami vs FC Porto, 3 p.m. ET (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta)
June 23: Inter Miami vs. Palmerias, 9 p.m. ET (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami)