Lionel Messi made his long-anticipated debut in the Bay Area on Wednesday night as Inter Miami battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes, with Tadeo Allende scoring twice for the visiting side, as per Al Jazeera.
The sold-out crowd of 18,000 at PayPal Park was treated to an electric display, as both teams traded goals throughout the match in one of the season’s most exciting contests. The atmosphere surrounding Messi’s first appearance in Northern California was festive, with fans lining up for hours and even throwing a block party the night before the match to catch a glimpse of the global icon.
The action began almost immediately, with Inter Miami’s Maximiliano Falcón heading in a Jordi Alba cross just 35 seconds into the match following a corner kick. San Jose responded quickly, as Cristian Arango netted an equalizer just over two minutes later, converting a feed from Cristian Espinoza. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it was only the fifth time in MLS history that both teams scored within the first three minutes of a game.
The Earthquakes then took the lead in the 37th minute through Beau Leroux, but Allende responded seven minutes later for Miami to make it 2-2. In first-half stoppage time, Ian Harkes restored San Jose’s advantage with a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box, assisted by Leroux.
Allende completed his brace in the 52nd minute, tapping in a low cross from Baltasar Rodríguez after Messi helped orchestrate the buildup with a precise pass that led to the assist.
Inter Miami pushed for the winner in the closing stages, with Messi nearly scoring in stoppage time, only to be denied from close range by Earthquakes goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Britto.
While Messi was held scoreless, he thrilled fans with several chances in the first half, narrowly missing a goal on a transition play and later sending a free kick just wide before halftime.
The draw marked the third time in four games that Miami has conceded at least three goals, raising questions about the team’s defense despite its attacking firepower. San Jose, meanwhile, extended its unbeaten streak to three matches with the result.
