Messi Sets Up Both Goals as Miami Draw Atlanta

MIAMI:(Sports Desk) – Lionel Messi set up both of Inter Miami’s goals as the reigning Major League Soccer champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Atlanta United on Saturday.

The match marked Messi’s first appearance since announcing his retirement from international football. Severe thunderstorms and lightning delayed kick-off by 90 minutes, but the Argentine superstar quickly became the focal point once play began.

Miami opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Brazilian midfielder Casemiro rose above the defence to head Messi’s corner into the net.

Atlanta responded just three minutes later. Former Newcastle United forward Miguel Almiron fired a low effort past the Miami defence to level the contest.

Messi was again at the centre of the action shortly before half-time. A move initiated down the left flank by the Argentine resulted in Luis Suarez calmly finishing to restore Miami’s advantage.

Atlanta refused to give up and earned a late equaliser when Swiss striker Breel Embolo converted an 87th-minute penalty to make it 2-2.

The result extended an eventful night in MLS, with several other matches producing dramatic finishes.

In Toronto, Derrick Etienne scored two minutes into stoppage time to complete a thrilling 4-4 draw against Chicago in an eight-goal encounter.

Josh Sargent struck a hat-trick for Toronto, while Chicago’s Maren Haile-Selassie scored twice. An own goal and a 63rd-minute strike from Robert Lewandowski briefly put the visitors 4-3 ahead before Etienne’s late equaliser.

Philadelphia Union defeated Montreal 2-0, with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan scoring in the 75th minute. The goal took his season tally to four goals and seven assists, giving him 11 goal contributions and surpassing Freddy Adu’s previous record of 10 scoring contributions by a 16-year-old in a season.

In Orlando, Antoine Griezmann scored in the 28th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 victory over San Diego.

Austin FC rescued a point against San Jose when Guilherme Biro scored in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw.