Inter Miami player ratings vs. Los Angeles Galaxy: Lionel Messi is a cheat code!

According to goal.com, the former Barcelona player performed what he does best, enabling the Herons depart Los Angeles with a surprise tie. It had to be him, right? For 90 minutes, Inter Miami deserved nothing from their visit to the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday night. However, that was only the first 90. As it turned out, Lionel Messi was only waiting for minute 92.

Obviously, the Argentine was the hero. His 92nd-minute goal enabled Miami to salvage a point that few would argue they earned. Messi and Jordi Alba combined for a spectacular last-gasp goal to startle a Galaxy squad that had enough opportunities to seal the game.

Dejan Jovelic scored LA’s lone goal, and it’s surprising it was the only one. Drake Callender stopped Riqui Puig’s penalty kick, as he worked miracles to deny the Galaxy from going any farther. He faced 23 shots during the game, but only one went in, as Jovelic was left open to tap in on the back post in the 75th minute.

From then, however, things gradually began to go Miami’s way. Marco Delgado’s 87th-minute second yellow card was the catalyst for everything, a dubious call at best that helped turn the game around. From that point on, Miami had an opportunity, which Messi finally took advantage of.

Regardless of the outcome, the Herons seemed visibly unhappy following the final whistle. They were kept off the field for much of the game, but they still managed to steal a point. That’s what Messi is capable of, and having the Argentine in your starting lineup is almost a cheat code.

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Goalkeeper & Defense

Drake Callender (9/10):

The clear Man of the Match for Miami. Absolutely fantastic in goal, making several key stops in addition to the one on Puig from the penalty spot.

Jordi Alba (8/10):

Did his thing on the left throughout before finally setting up Messi’s equalizer. A connection we’ve seen a thousand times, and one that saved Miami in a big way on Sunday night.

Tomas Aviles (6/10):

Did his job defensively and moved the ball well. Much more solid than he was in the opener.

Serhiy Kryvtsov (6/10):

Lack of pace was exposed a few times, but he held his own mostly. Could have been a bit more aware on the goal, though.

DeAndre Yedlin (6/10):

Couldn’t quite get going and had one bad foul in the second half. Overall, nothing too special.

Midfield

Julian Gressel (4/10):

Just hasn’t looked himself yet this season. Pressure is only going to turn up on a player who can help this Miami team, even if he hasn’t done much of that yet.

Sergio Busquets (4/10):

Didn’t look anything like the player we’ve all watched for so long. Conceded the penalty and looked a bit slow all game, physically and mentally.

Diego Gomez (6/10):

Far and away the best in the midfield three, but that isn’t saying much. Actually had a decent game which looked much, much better when compared to those around him.

Lionel Messi goal vs LA Galaxy Inter Miami 2024USA Today Sports

Attack

Robert Taylor (5/10):

Never got into the game, taking just 25 touches before being taken out 22 minutes in to the second half.

Luis Suarez (4/10):

It’s almost like it wasn’t a good idea to play someone with Suarez’s knees after a cross-country trip on short rest. Looked totally off the pace before being mercifully subbed out.

Lionel Messi (8/10):

It had to be him, huh? Relatively quiet all game, Messi popped up for the goal late, netting his first of the season to earn Miami a relatively undeserved point.