Messi helpless, Inter Miami still unable to secure a home win

(Football result) - Inter Miami continues to disappoint at their new home stadium, drawing 2-2 with New York Red Bulls, in a match where Lionel Messi made an impact but couldn't help the home team secure all 3 points.

Inter Miami entered MLS Round 7 aiming for their first win at Nu Stadium, but all efforts from Lionel Messi and his teammates only earned them 1 point after a 2-2 draw against New York Red Bulls.

The home team started decently, yet found themselves chasing the score after letting the opponents take the lead. Nevertheless, the resilience of the reigning MLS Cup champions was soon demonstrated as they quickly restored balance to the match, before creating a turning point in the second half.

In the 55th minute, Lionel Messi once again showcased his immense influence. Surrounded by four Red Bulls players, the Argentine superstar still made a difference. Though not directly assisting, his handling of the situation disrupted the opponent's defense, allowing Germán Berterame to finish with a one-touch shot, giving Inter Miami their first lead at 2-1.

This was also the first time Messi's team held a lead after nearly 150 minutes of play at their new home stadium, where they previously drew with Austin FC in their debut match. It seemed Berterame's goal would help Inter Miami control the game and head towards victory, but an unexpected scenario unfolded in the final minutes.

In the 77th minute, 17-year-old talent Adri Mehmeti made his mark with his first MLS goal, equalizing 2-2 for New York Red Bulls. This goal came from a combination with Julian Hall (18 years old), as the young player made a smart move near the touchline before assisting Mehmeti's finish.

Earlier, Messi also had a chance to increase the score in the 49th minute with a close-range shot after a skillful move that eliminated an opponent's defender, but the ball narrowly missed the post.

In the second half, both teams had further notable situations. Some goals were denied due to offside violations, with Red Bulls waiting for VAR confirmation. During added time, Messi tried his luck with a free kick from about 25 meters, but couldn't beat goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.

Ultimately, Inter Miami accepted a 2-2 draw. While extending their unbeaten streak to 6 matches in MLS, Messi's team still couldn't secure their first win at Nu Stadium.

This result shows Inter Miami still has much work to do if they want to capitalize on home advantage, especially in the context of fierce competition among Eastern Conference rivals. Meanwhile, New York Red Bulls can be satisfied with the 1 point earned after a resilient comeback, particularly given their recent lack of good form.

Where to watch Inter Miami vs Red Bulls live?

- Time: 6:30 today, April 12.

- Location: Nu Stadium, Miami.

- Competition: Round 7 of the MLS

- Live broadcast:

Inter Miami vs New York RB squad information

• Inter Miami:Sergio Reguilón injured.
• New York RB:Justin Che, Cameron Harper, AJ Marcucci injured.

Expected lineup Inter Miami vs New York RB

• Inter Miami:Clair (GK), Allen, Micael, Falcon, Fray, Ayala, De Paul, Segovia, Messi, Allende, Silvetti.
• New York RB:Horvath (GK), Marshall-Rutty, Nealis, Voloder, Santos, Mehmeti, Forsberg, Donkor, Cowell, Hall, Ruvalcaba.

Form & Head-to-head history

• Inter Miami form:In the last 5 matches, Inter Miami won 1, drew 4. Scored 6 goals, conceded 5 goals.
• New York RB form:In the last 5 matches, New York RB won 2, drew 1, lost 2. Scored 7 goals, conceded 12 goals.
• Head-to-head history:In the last 5 matches, Inter Miami won 4, lost 1. Meanwhile, New York RB won 1, lost 4.