Selena Gomez, Prince Harry part of star-studded crowd that sees Messi, Miami defeat LAFC
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami continue to be the best show in sports.
Messi assisted on two goals in the second half, and Inter Miami beat reigning MLS champion LAFC decisively with a 3-1 victory on Sunday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
“It was a nice test for us to see where we are, what we were capable of,” Messi said in his postgame interview with Apple TV.
“We played in a difficult field, against the last champion, we got an important result. The group grows more every day, we are going to try to get into the [postseason].”
Messi – the 2022 World Cup champion and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner – didn’t score for the second straight game, and his third time in 11 games since joining Inter Miami. But he didn’t have to.
Messi’s left boot still delivered with two timely passes that provided fans and celebrities like Selena Gomez, Prince Harry, Leonardo DiCaprio and more with the graceful greatness they came to see.
Messi found his former FC Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba in the 51st minute, and youngster Leo Campana in the 83rd minute, while Facu Farias scored in the 18th minute as Inter Miami remains unbeaten in the Messi era.
“You know what Leo is, what he can give inside the pitch. He gets the best of everyone,” Campana said in his Apple TV postgame interview.
Messi and Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 19, and will play for another title on Sept. 26 in U.S. Open Cup final. But in the MLS playoff race, Inter Miami is in a climb, eight points behind ninth-place D.C. United in the Eastern Conference.
LAFC had a 22-9 edge in shots and six shots on goal, but could not find the back of the net until the 90th minute when Ryan Hollingshead’s header made the final score closer than this contest was.
Inter Miami is 10-1-0 (win-draw-loss) in 11 games since Messi joined in late July.
MLS playoff picture: Can Messi push Miami into the postseason?
Messi to leave Inter Miami for Argentina World Cup qualifying
Messi will head to Argentina, following the match to help the defending World Cup champions qualify again with two games this month.
As a result, Messi is expected to miss Inter Miami’s next game against Sporting Kansas City on Sept. 9 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi will be with the Argentine team for a home match on Sept. 7 against Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Messi will also be with the team for its second qualifying match against Bolivia on Sept. 12 at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia.
Messi’s participation in both games could impact his availability for Inter Miami’s match against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sept. 16.
Messi fan stopped by security for running onto pitch
During the game, a Messi fan ran to Messi in the middle of the pitch during the second half.
Messi’s Inter Miami security guard quickly intercepted the fan after Messi and the fan made contact.
Messi stopped the fan as the fan slowed his momentum once he got to Messi.
A LAFC tried to step in between Messi and the fan, before Messi’s security guard secured the fan.
Security then escorted the fan off the pitch in the 73rd minute.
Messi meets Owen Wilson’s family after LAFC match
Messi gave a hug to actor Owen Wilson on the pitch after the match, while fans slowly mobbed Messi for autographs.
How tough was Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over LAFC?
LAFC was a tough test, beating their last four opponents at home 18-1 before this match.
And Inter Miami aced it with flying pink and black colors.
“LAFC is a good team. We knew it was going to be difficult. We knew it was going to be hard … but once we scored the first one, we smelled a little bit of blood, then kept going from there,” Inter Miami’s DeAndre Yedlin said in his Apple TV postgame interview. “It gives us a lot of confidence. It’s a great win for us, but the job is not finished yet. We’re going onto the next one.”
Ryan Hollingshead goal: Inter Miami 3, LAFC 1
Too little, too late for LAFC.
Ryan Hollingshead scored a header on a set piece in the 90th minute, just before extra time and LAFC is on the board.
Inter Miami won’t secure the shutout in this one, but LAFC’s goal does make the match look closer than it was all night.
Leo Campana goal: Inter Miami 3, LAFC 0
The right pass. At the right time. And the Hollywood finish for Leo Messi and Inter Miami.
Messi tracked up the field with a head of steam and found Leo Campana streaking down the right side. Campana’s left strike found the back of the net and Inter Miami takes a 3-0 lead in the 83rd minute.
While Messi hasn’t scored in this one, he left his mark on LAFC with two assists.
Messi gets a look, but no assist: Inter Miami 2, LAFC 0
Messi had two looks near the net, but was unable to get a shot off.
Messi took a pass off the shoulder from Leo Campana in the 75th minute to set up a corner kick.
Three minutes earlier, Messi tracked down a pass over his head and waited for his Inter Miami teammates to join him. LAFC defenders were well in Messi’s way as he passed to Facu Farias, who missed in the 72nd minute. Shortly after, Farias picked up a yellow card for a foul in frustration.
LAFC’s Ryan Hollingshead had a shot that sailed over the net in the 69th minute. LAFC has not been short on opportunities in this one.
Drake Callendar shining in second half: Inter Miami 2, LAFC 0
Inter Miami goalie Drake Callendar had two saves on shots by LAFC’s Dénis Bouanga in the 60th minute to keep LAFC off the board.
Callendar, sporting a new hairdo, has been Inter Miami’s most important player not named Messi since the Argentine star has joined the club.
Just before Callendar’s saves, Facundo Farías missed a shot in the 57th minute that could have broken this game open even more.
Jordi Alba goal: Inter Miami 2, LAFC 0
Leo Messi found Jordi Alba streaking toward the net, and Alba sends it home.
Inter Miami has a 2-0 lead on LAFC just after halftime, scoring in the 51st minute.
Sergio Busquets passed the ball to Messi to set up Alba’s score, as all three former FC Barcelona standouts who joined Inter Miami this summer made their presence felt during the score.
While Messi has yet to score in this one, he has an assist and Inter Miami has a decisive lead.
Halftime: Inter Miami 1, LAFC 0
Leo Messi and Inter Miami have a 1-0 lead at halftime against LAFC.
Messi has not scored yet in this game, missing two shots.
But Inter Miami’s Facu Farias scored in the 14th minute, and goalie Drake Callendar has several stops to keep LAFC scoreless.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino, Messi’s longtime coach with Barcelona and Argentina, was interviewed at halftime during the Apple TV broadcast.
Martino said “It’s been a level match” and a “beautiful game to watch, great spectacle.”
Selena Gomez can't believe Messi's miss in 37': Inter Miami 1, LAFC 0
Messi received a pass from Diego Gomez. He found his spot and let his left boot rip. LAFC goalie John McCarthy contested the shot.
But the highlight moment came after Messi’s miss.
Selena Gomez could not believe her eyes in the stands as the broadcast captured her reaction to Messi’s miss in the 37th minute.
The stars are out in LA, and Inter Miami is up 1-0 just before halftime.
Prince Harry might be rooting for LAFC: Inter Miami 1, LAFC 0
Leo Messi’s first shot was right to the LAFC goalie.
But just a minute earlier, Prince Harry was shown during the broadcast in anguish following a missed opportunity for LAFC. A left boot by Mario González found the outside of the net in the 26th minute.
Inter Miami goalie Drake Callendar has been a star during the Messi era, and he has contested at least six LAFC shots during the first 28 minutes of this match.
Facundo Farias goal: Inter Miami 1, LAFC 0
Inter Miami is on the board, and it’s one of its talented youngsters finding the back of the net.
Facundo Farias connected on a sliding kick from the right side in the 14th minute after a pass from Tomás Avilés.
Messi ran into Farias’ hands to begin celebrating Inter Miami’s 1-0 lead in Los Angeles.
What time is Inter Miami vs. LAFC game today?
It's a late one! Kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET since the teams play on the West Coast at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Get your coffee and popcorn ready.
How to watch Messi, Inter Miami vs. LAFC: TV, streaming
The Inter Miami vs. LAFC game can be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Starting lineups for Miami vs. LAFC
Starting lineups are out for both Miami and LAFC, just 45 minutes before the two teams kickoff in what should be a fun match.
And here's the lineup for LAFC, with an interesting note: defender Giorgio Chiellini is getting the starting nod tonight, and he has history with Messi, having played for Juventus in Italy. Chiellini has previously joked that the best way to defend Messi is to "make the sign of the cross" and pray.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, LeBron James among celebs to watch Messi in-person tonight
As expected, Messi won’t be the only celebrity in BMO Stadium tonight when Inter Miami visits LAFC.
The list of notable guests for tonight’s match is long and includes LeBron James, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Ted Lasso (known in the real world as Jason Sudeikis), Leo DiCaprio, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland and Will Ferrell. And according to LAFC, that’s just a small sampling.
It seems everyone is caught up in Messi Mania.
How did Messi, Miami do in most recent match?
Messi and Miami have been on a tear since the GOAT joined MLS in June. But Wednesday against Nashville, they ran into a wall of sorts.
Nashville FC became the first MLS club to hold Miami scoreless since Messi joined the league, holding on for a 0-0 draw. (Remember, Miami beat Nashville in the Leagues Cup final, playing to a 1-1 draw before taking the title on PKs, 10-9). The match vs. Nashville was Miami’s 10th game in 40 days. How fresh are players’ legs at this point?
Inter Miami vs. LAFC predictions
Safid Deen, USA TODAY Sports reporter: Messi scores twice and assists on another to win a thriller in LA. Inter Miami 3, LAFC 2
Alicia DelGallo, USA TODAY Sports senior editor: Miami falls behind again and relies on Messi and Josef Martinez to pull out the points. Inter Miami 2, LAFC 1
Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY Sports reporter: Messi gets back on track and scores, but a well-rested LAFC shows why they're so dominant at home, winning handily. LAFC 3, Inter Miami 1
Jim Reineking, USA TODAY Sports editor:BMO Stadium will be electric for this one and the home team will respond, delivering Messi his first defeat with Miami and a crippling setback in the team's late-season playoff push. LAFC 3, Inter Miami 2
LAFC, Carlos Vela won’t be intimidated by Messi
The name Messi strikes fear into the hearts of numerous soccer players around the world, and understandably so. Widely considered the greatest player of all time, Messi is a magician on the field, an athlete so gifted he’s a threat every time he touches the ball.
But Carlos Vela, LAFC’s star forward, is familiar with Messi, to say the least.
Vela, who can do a little bit of everything as a forward, winger or midfielder and also stars for the Mexican national team, has matched up against Messi a whopping 18 times over their careers. Granted, Messi usually beats him — and has scored 13 goals in those meetings, while Vela has scored just one — but still, Vela won’t be intimidated, taking away an edge that Messi often has.
LAFC very tough to beat at home, outscoring opponents 18-1 lately
Beating LAFC in BMO Stadium in Los Angeles is no easy task — just ask the last four teams that have come in and been smoked by a combined score of 18-1. (No, that’s not a misprint.)
LAFC is widely considered one of the toughest road environments in MLS, up there with St. Louis and Cincinnati (which suffered its first home loss Saturday in a 1-0 defeat vs. Orlando City SC). Expect a frenzied 22,00-strong crowd Saturday in BMO Stadium, which could very well give LAFC an edge. Something else playing in LAFC’s favor is rest: While Miami played Wednesday, LAFC did not.
Messi game is the place to be in LA
As usual, Messi is one of the hottest tickets in town. According to the Los Angeles Times, secondary market tickets are averaging $717, which would be just “$31 less than what it would cost to attend every Los Angeles Chargers NFL home game at SoFi Stadium this season.” The other superstar commanding significant money on the secondary market tonight is none other than Beyoncé, who will play her second of four shows this evening at SoFi Stadium.
Suffice it to say, LA is the place to be tonight.
Messi and Miami are trying to bounce back after a scoreless draw vs. Nashville SC on Wednesday. Though it didn’t get the win, Nashville notched a victory in becoming the first club to hold Messi scoreless since he joined MLS in June. Surely, Messi himself is aware of this stat and will be determined to course correct.
