Soccer legend Lionel Messi met with Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes before the game, then shined on the same field that Mahomes does at every NFL home game.
Messi scored early in the second half and assisted on another goal in the first half in a thrilling 3-2 win between Inter Miami and Sporting KC at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night. Ta.
In Mahomes' place, Messi became Kansas City's biggest star, performing in front of a crowd of 72,610. It was the most attended soccer game in Missouri and the third most attended MLS game in history.
“It was an unbelievable environment. The fans were amazing,” Sporting KC coach Peter Vermes said. told reporters After the game even though we lost.
Messi started in his first MLS game since March 2, his third game back from a right hamstring injury, with Sporting KC co-owner Mahomes and Chiefs coach Andy Reid in attendance. I played long distance.
Messi's goal in the 6th minute of the second half was dynamic. Recognizing a rare opportunity in open space with no defenders around him, he rose with his legendary left boot and sent the kick past the outstretched hand of Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia, giving Inter Miami a 2-0 lead. Gave a -1 lead.
Messi's assist in the first half was equally special. He saw teammate Diego Gomez make a move in the open field and made a pass behind the defense. Just as Mahomes spotted star tight end Travis Kelce behind the linebackers during coverage on the same field.
Sporting KC's Eric Tomy took the lead in the 6th minute and the team made it two points in the 58th minute, but Gomez won the ball on the left wing and crossed to Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez in the 71st minute. lead.
Gomez was key to the match, with a goal and an assist to propel Inter Miami to their first win since March 16. The club regained the lead in MLS Eastern with 15 points (tiebreaker with New York Red Bulls). meeting.
“The reality is that it was essential for us to win tonight's game, and for the team to regain some sense of winning,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said at the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier this week. He mentioned the club's loss to Monterrey in LIGA MX.
Many of the fans were wearing Sporting KC blue, but as expected, the attention during the match was on Messi. The World Cup champion is the game's biggest attraction, especially in the twilight of his illustrious career.
Two fans, including a young boy, were cheered loudly and ran onto the field during the game, hoping for a chance to stand next to Messi. The other man was tackled by Messi's bodyguard Yassin Chueko in the second half.
Inter Miami has a week until their next match against Nashville SC on April 20th, but that's plenty of time for Messi and Suarez, who has eight goals in 13 games, to get some rest. Barcelona's stars will also need it, including Jordi Alba, who is sidelined with a right hamstring injury, and Sergio Busquets, who had a knee collision with another player.
Sporting KC vs Inter Miami Highlights
Luis Suarez goals: Inter Miami 3, Sporting KC 2
There's a thriller in Kansas City, and now there's “El Pistolero”: Uruguayan star Luis Suarez scores in '71cent In the first minute, Inter Miami led 3-2 against Sporting KC.
Suarez timed it perfectly, but it was Diego Gomez who was responsible for the goal.
Eric Tommie goals: Sporting KC 2, Inter Miami 2
Sporting KC will never disappear – especially against Lionel Messi at Arrowhead Stadium.
Eric Tommie scored his second goal of the game in the 58th minute with his right foot into the back of the net.th With one minute left, the score was tied at 2 points with Inter Miami.
The goal came from a corner kick, but Inter Miami's Luis Suarez deflected it right in front of Tommy.
Messi scores a goal: Inter Miami 2, Sporting KC 1
Lionel Messi found himself in a wide open space and struck the net with his left foot: Messi scored in the 51st minute.cent Inter Miami took a 2-1 lead against Sporting KC less than six minutes into the second half on Saturday night.
Messi's left boot soared past the outstretched hand of Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia, and the cheers at Arrowhead Stadium grew louder as Inter Miami celebrated.
Messi's free kick goes wide right: Sporting KC 1, Inter Miami 1
Lionel Messi spun a bit too much.Messi missed a free kick in the 41st minute.cent The moment it turned just in front of the right goal post.
It was almost a highlight moment for Messi in Kansas City.
Goalkeeper saves Messi's shot on goal: Sporting KC 1, Inter Miami 1
Lionel Messi fired a left-handed shot into the net, but it was saved by Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia in the 27th minute.th Minutes.
Three minutes earlier, Messi's header rolled into the right corner of the goal.
Diego Gomes goals: Sporting KC 1, Inter Miami 1
Lionel Messi doing Lionel Messi things led to a tied game in Kansas City.
Inter Miami drew the game 1-1 with Sporting KC in the 18th minute when Messi used his legendary left spike to send a wonderful pass to Diego Gomez.
Messi saw Gomez leap forward and send a perfectly placed pass behind the defense. Just as Mahomes found star tight end Travis Kelce on the same field as he reached the top of his route behind the linebackers.
Eric Tommie goals: Sporting KC 1, Inter Miami 0
The lively crowd at Arrowhead Stadium roared after Messi's first touch of the match.
However, it took just six minutes for the team to explode as Sporting KC's Eric Tommie scored to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead.
Messi's lineup for tonight's Inter Miami vs. Sporting KC
This will be Messi's first start in an MLS regular season game since March 2. And he will join fellow Barcelona standouts Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The starting lineups for both teams are as follows:
Chiefs manager Andy Reid greets Mahomes before Messi game
Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who won three Super Bowls, also attended Messi's game at Arrowhead Stadium.
Messi and Mahomes arrive for Inter Miami vs. Sporting KC match
Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes arrived at Arrowhead Stadium while Inter Miami headed to the locker room area.
Then, right behind Mahomes, Messi entered, waving to the fans, and headed to the locker room area.
Messi and Inter Miami wear black jerseys against Sporting KC
This is a rare sight. Messi and Inter Miami will wear his kit in the black “La Noche” jersey for the first time in the MLS regular season. This will be Messi's fourth time wearing Inter Miami's black jersey. He wore it in the final game of last year's season and has worn it twice this preseason before the 2024 jerseys go on sale.
Inter Miami have predominantly worn pink jerseys since Messi arrived last July.
Chiefs stadium is ready for Messi's arrival
Gone are the NFL's sidelines, goal posts and painted end zones. But tonight's Inter Miami vs. Sporting KC at Arrowhead Stadium looks to be in great shape.
Inter Miami vs Sporting KC predictions
Inter Miami 3, Sporting KC 1: Sporting KC may have been on a roll with eight goals in their last three games, but the presence of Messi and Inter Miami's possession will see them eliminated from the biggest home game in the club's history. Messi scored a goal and assisted two others to help Inter Miami get back on track after losing in the Champions Cup. —Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter
Inter Miami vs. Sporting KC odds
Sporting KC has +130 odds to win at home, while Inter Miami has +175 odds to win away. The tie odds are set at +250 and the over/under is set at his 2.5 goals. By BETMGM.
How long will Messi play against Sporting KC?
Messi's playing time will ultimately be determined by him, but it could also be limited.
He returned from a right hamstring injury last Saturday and played 90 minutes in Mexico on Wednesday as Inter Miami lost 3-1 to LIGA MX powerhouse Monterrey, 5-2 on aggregate, and was eliminated from the Concaf Champions Cup. I played.
“In the last game he played 90 minutes, so we will see how much time he plays. But he is available,” Inter Miami assistant coach Javi Morales said on Friday. Ta.
“He finished the game without any problems and without any problems. The amount of time he can play on the field will depend on his mood, but I think he will want to play.”
