Messi scores, but Miami’s big night ends level

Inter Miami’s long-awaited stadium debut had all the right ingredients — a new home, a packed crowd, David Beckham front and centre — but the football itself didn’t quite follow the script.

The MLS champions opened their 26,000-seat Nu Stadium with a 2-2 draw against Austin FC on Saturday, a result that captured both the promise and the imperfections of a team still finding its rhythm, even with Lionel Messi at the centre of it.

Before kickoff, the mood was more reflective than tense. Beckham, who has been tied to the project for more than a decade, framed the moment as the culmination of a long, uneven process.

“To see this stadium come to life, after years and years of trying to get this stadium up and running in Miami, is something that’s very special,” Beckham said shortly before kickoff.

“I came to America in the MLS 20 years ago, and I made a lot of promises. And 13 years ago, I made a lot of promises again, announcing I was coming to Miami.

“Today it’s just a dream come true for us.”

That sense of occasion carried into the opening minutes — until Austin disrupted it almost immediately. Six minutes in, Guilherme Biro rose to meet a corner from Facundo Torres and gave the visitors an early lead, cutting through the ceremony with a reminder that this was still a competitive fixture.

Messi’s response was quick and, in its own way, unexpected. Four minutes later, he equalised with a headed goal after a cross from Ian Fray — not the typical Messi finish, but effective all the same.

From there, Inter Miami settled into control. The team dominated possession and created chances, with Mateo Silvetti coming closest before the break. But for all that control, the game never felt fully secured. Austin stayed compact, waited for transitions, and made them count.

That approach paid off early in the second half. Messi was dispossessed high up the pitch, Joseph Rosales launched the counter, and Jayden Nelson finished the move to restore Austin’s lead.

At that point, the night started to shift from celebration to recovery. Miami pushed forward with more urgency, and coach Javier Mascherano turned to experience, bringing on Luis Suarez midway through the second half.

The adjustment worked. In the 81st minute, Suarez equalised from close range after Messi’s corner caused problems in the box, pulling Miami back into the game.

There was a moment when it seemed the evening might still end perfectly. Suarez found the net again late on after Messi’s free-kick hit the woodwork, but the goal was ruled out for offside, leaving the score level.

In the end, the result felt balanced. Miami had control and quality, but also lapses. Austin had fewer chances, but used them more efficiently.