Lionel Messi sparks Inter Miami goal, but James Sands' late header fuels draw vs. NYCFC

All Lionel Messi needed was an open lane to deliver a pass up the field. Two quick passes later, Inter Miami found the back of the net. And the fans at a packed Yankee Stadium cheered loudly after the greatest player in soccer, not baseball, shine brightly.

Most of them, however, might go home remembering the last-minute goal and thrilling finish.

New York City FC’s James Sands scored a header from a corner kick in the 95^th minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Messi and Inter Miami on Saturday afternoon. It was the first goal of Sands’ career, as the Rye, New York native picked the most opportune moment in the 117^th game of his career to score.

The score spoiled what could have been a 1-0 victory for Inter Miami after Messi’s playmaking brilliance.

It wasn’t much, but Messi received an outlet from defender Federico Redondo about three quarters up the field, and the passing lanes opened for Inter Miami after being jammed with traffic for much of the afternoon.

Messi passed ahead to Jordi Alba, who found a trailing Leo Campana for a goal scored in the 75^th minute. It’s Campana’s franchise-leading 31^st goal for Inter Miami. Messi trails behind with 27 career goals for the club.

Still, Inter Miami came away with a point, increasing its lead in the Supporters’ Shield standings at 64 points. Inter Miami needs at least three wins in its final four regular season games to challenge the MLS record for points in a season, 73 points set by New England Revolution in 2021.

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino criticized officiating in the match following the game, including what he believed was a missed foul call on midfielder Yannick Bright before the final goal.

“I think we played a good game and we should have won,” Martino said. “If the referee had called the foul on Yannick Bright, we would have won.”

The match was a feisty affair even before it started, when NYCFC fans crowded the Inter Miami team bus with middle fingers and chants upon arrival to the stadium.

Messi and NYCFC defender Thiago Martins, a 29-year-old Brazilian centerback, appeared to get into a conflict of words which led to a flurry of yellow cards in the second half.

Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba pushed Martins for challenging Messi, and defender Tomas Aviles was persistent in engaging into the action as both received yellow cards.

Shortly after, an Inter Miami assistant coach received an instant red card and ejection from the bench after defender Noah Allen was shown a yellow card for a foul. The ensuing free kick from Sergio Rodriguez hit the wall of defenders, but Luis Suarez then picked up a yellow card for colliding into NYCFC’s Hannes Wolf.

Nine yellow cards (excluding the red card to the Inter Miami coach) were drawn during the match, with Inter Miami receiving five of them.

“The team didn’t lack anything, but the match lacked a good referee,” Martino said.

James Sands header goal: NYCFC 1, Inter Miami 1

James Sands’ header from a corner kick in the final minutes of this match have helped NYCFC tie this match late against Inter Miami.

Leo Campana goal comes from Messi's push offensively: Inter Miami 1, NYCFC 0

Inter Miami has broken through, and Lionel Messi was the catalyst.

Messi found Jordi Alba streaking toward his left, and Alba found Leo Campana trailing down the middle to deliver the first goal of this match.

Inter Miami has a 1-0 lead over NYCFC, as Campana scores his franchise-leading 31^st goal in the 75^th minute.

Messi, NYCFC’s Thiago Martins get into rift, Inter Miami sees four yellow cards and a red card: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

Messi and NYCFC’s Thiago Martins, a 29-year-old Brazilian centerback, appeared to get into a conflict of words which led to two yellow cards.

Inter Miami defenders Jordi Alba pushed Martins for challenging Messi, and defender Tomas Aviles was persistent in engaging into the action.

Shortly after, an Inter Miami assistant coach received an instant red card and ejection from the bench after defender Noah Allen was shown a yellow card for a foul.

The free kick from Santiago Rodriguez hit the wall of defenders, but Luis Suarez then picked up a yellow card for colliding into NYCFC’s Hannes Wolf.

NYCFC’s Hannes Wolf misses shot: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

New York City FC is getting toward the net in the second half, but Hannes Wolf was unable to connect on his shot in the 61^st minute.

Halftime update: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

It’s a scoreless affair in the Bronx, but the crowd at Yankee Stadium has been electric. They’ve shown out for Lionel Messi’s appearance at the venue, but haven’t experienced their Messi moment just yet.

Messi was close to scoring a free kick and a corner kick early, and Inter Miami missed a prime opportunity when Robert Taylor ran into the path of Luis Suarez’ shot during the first half. NYCFC’s Santiago Rodriguez has also missed two opportunities early.

The smaller pitch dimensions at Yankee Stadium appeared difficult for Messi and Inter Miami to navigate, but maybe they’ll get a better hang of it in the second half.

Messi dribbles toward goal area, but unable to get shot off: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

Messi had a window toward the goal, but he was unable to get a shot off after several dribbles in front of a NYCFC defender. It’s unclear if the grass surface where he was dribbling placed over the Yankees' infield was a factor in Messi not winding up for the shot, or if the defender just got into Messi's way to deliver a pass.

Inter Miami misses prime opportunity to score: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

Luis Suarez’ open shot was blocked as teammate Robert Taylor ran into the shot’s path during a thrilling sequence. Here’s the miss:

Lionel Messi nearly scores corner kick: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

After a missed strike by Robert Taylor in the 21^st minute, Lionel Messi kicked a corner kick that NYCFC goalie Matt Freeze needed to catch in front of the net.

Messi has never scored an Olimpico, a goal from a corner kick, in a professional game. But he was close, considering the shorter field dimensions at Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC’s Santiago Rodriguez misses free kick: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

NYCFC’s Santiago Rodriguez missed a free kick off the right post, which then hit Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender’s head. But this match is still scoreless.

One thing you can say about the crowd at Yankee Stadium: It’s electric.

Messi misses free kick shot in 5’: Inter Miami 0, NYCFC 0

Just a bit outside.

Messi lined up for a free kick after a NYCFC handball, and his shot appeared on target. But it veered right of the net. Still, it was an early, electric moment during the match at Yankee Stadium.

Is Messi playing?

Yes, Messi is expected to play, Inter Miami assistant coach Javi Morales confirmed Friday. He’s in Inter Miami’s starting lineup.

Is Messi starting today? New York City FC vs. Inter Miami lineups

Messi is announced as a starter for Inter Miami’s match against New York City.

New York City FC vs. Inter Miami prediction

Messi scores a goal with an assist, Luis Suarez finds the back of the net and Julian Gressel scores a third goal in a 3-0 shutout for Inter Miami against NYCFC. – Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter

Messi returns to the New York area

While today’s game will be at Yankee Stadium, Messi is returning to the New York area after playing two Copa America matches at MetLife Stadium in late June/July.

Messi’s corner kick sparked the goal in a 1-0 win over Chile during the group stage on June 25, and Messi scored his lone Copa America goal against Canada in the semifinal on July 9.

Inter Miami leads MLS standings

Inter Miami remains atop the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings with 63 points. If Inter Miami wins the Supporters’ Shield before the MLS Cup playoffs begin, it will be the club’s second title of the Messi era. And it could be a catalyst for their third, after last year’s Leagues Cup title shortly after Messi’s arrival to the team.

Beckham talks Messi before NYCFC game

It’s been more than a year into the Lionel Messi experience in Major League Soccer, and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham is still in awe of the club’s acquisition of the Argentine World Cup champion.

“I think speaking from my experience and my family experience, that was what, that's what Leo was all about. He was, all he was interested in is a place where his family could come enjoy and have a great life. And, and that was, that was really important for Leo,” Beckham said, speaking at Stella Artois' "Let's Do Dinner" event in New York on Thursday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi sparks Inter Miami goal, but NYCFC escapes with draw