Lionel Messi scored a second-half penalty as Inter Miami CF defeated Independiente del Valle 2-1 in a rescheduled friendly match played Thursday night at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The game, originally slated for February 13th, was postponed due to a hamstring injury sustained by Messi during a preseason contest.
Santiago Morales opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 16th minute, assisted by Luis Suarez. Independiente del Valle responded quickly, with Patrik Mercado leveling the score in the 17th minute. The match remained tied until Messi’s 70th-minute conversion from the penalty spot secured the victory for the MLS side.
The friendly served as a continuation of Inter Miami’s preseason preparations, despite having already commenced their Major League Soccer campaign with a 3-0 loss to LAFC on Saturday. Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano utilized the match as an opportunity to provide playing time to members of his squad who had seen limited action in recent games. “This game clearly gives us the opportunity to, first, give minutes to guys who have perhaps had fewer minutes in the preseason and in the last game we played,” Mascherano stated prior to the match. “But yes, we’re going to strive to give everyone playing time.”
Messi addressed fans in Puerto Rico prior to the postponement of the initial fixture, explaining that a muscle strain suffered in a previous game necessitated the rescheduling. “To be honest, during the last game in Ecuador I concluded with a muscle strain, which is why I left the field early,” Messi said in a video message. “So, together with the people of the organization and Inter Miami it was decided to suspend this game. We hope it can be reprogrammed and we can see each other. Visit you soon.”
Thursday’s match drew an attendance of 24,000 to the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium. Inter Miami is scheduled to face Orlando City SC on Sunday.
