Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez score but Inter Miami held to 3-3 draw against St. Louis City | Cricket News - Times of India
Source: The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Inter Miami and St. Louis City played out a thrilling 3-3 draw on Saturday night at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match, a rollercoaster of lead changes and dramatic moments, saw both teams showcase their attacking prowess while also exposing defensive vulnerabilities.
Jordi Alba was the standout performer for Inter Miami, registering a goal and two assists in a dynamic display.His contributions proved crucial in securing a point for the home side, who extended their impressive run to just one loss in their last twelve MLS matches.
The match began with Inter Miami dominating possession, but it was St. Louis who struck first. In the 15th minute, Chris Durkin capitalized on a set-piece opportunity, firing a right-footed shot past Drake Callender to give the visitors an early lead.
Inter Miami responded swiftly, showcasing the lethal partnership developing between Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. In the 25th minute, a well-worked give-and-go sequence culminated in Messi slotting home his 12th goal of the season, leveling the scoreline.
Undeterred, St. Louis regained the lead just before halftime. Hosei Kijima threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to Indiana Vassilev, who confidently beat Callender with a right-footed strike, marking his second goal of the season.
The back-and-forth nature of the match continued as the first half drew to a close. In stoppage time, Jordi Alba turned provider once again, delivering a pinpoint cross for Luis Suarez to tap in, tying the score at 2-2 heading into the break.
The second half saw St. Louis retake the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances. In the 68th minute, Eduard Löwen's corner kick deflected off Luis Suarez's head and past a helpless Callender for an own goal, putting the visitors ahead 3-2.
Refusing to accept defeat, Inter Miami pressed for an equalizer, and their persistence paid off in the 85th minute. Julian Gressel found Jordi Alba with a well-placed pass, and the Spanish international calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net. Initially ruled offside, the goal was ultimately awarded after a VAR review, ensuring a share of the points.
The draw sees Inter Miami maintain their position in the Eastern Conference standings with 35 points, while St. Louis City remain in 12th place in the Western Conference with 17 points. Despite the draw, St. Louis will be encouraged by their performance as they snapped a three-match losing streak.
(Inputs from AFP)
The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.