New Delhi: Inter Miami FC suffered yet another setback on Saturday at Yankee Stadium, settling for a 1-1 draw against New York City FC. James Sands’ dramatic late equalizer in stoppage time snatched away what seemed like a certain victory for the Miami side.
Inter Miami had appeared to be on course for their 20th win of the season when star striker Lionel Messi helped set up a 75th-minute goal for Ecuadorian international Leonardo Campana. Messi’s clever pass found Jordi Alba, who delivered a pinpoint cross to Campana allowing him to slot the ball home from close range to give Miami the 1-0 lead.
The pass from Alba to Campana to give us the lead in New York 💥 VAMOS! pic.twitter.com/npIaRgx6aK
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 21, 2024
However, in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time, New York City’s defender Sands rose highest to meet a Santiago Rodriguez corner, sending a powerful header into the back of the net to salvage a point for the hosts. The equalizer came as a bitter blow to Inter Miami especially given their ambition to set a new single-season points record in Major League Soccer.
Despite conceding the late goal, Miami can have few complaints about the result. New York City created better opportunities throughout the match and could have taken the lead earlier if not for some wasteful finishing.
JAMES SANDS EQUALIZES IN THE DYING MOMENTS pic.twitter.com/Rv5rUybBWG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 21, 2024
Lionel Messi came close to opening the scoring for Miami in the fourth minute, with a free-kick from just outside the box that narrowly missed the target. New York City also had their chances, with Santiago Rodriguez rattling the post from a free-kick in the 11th minute. Keaton Parks missed a golden opportunity in the 47th minute failing to capitalize on the home side’s attacking pressure.
Messi eventually made New York City pay for their missed chances when he set up Jordi Alba, whose cross allowed Campana to calmly finish and give Miami a lead that seemed likely to stand.
But in the dying moments of the match, Sands’ towering header from a corner ensured Miami had to settle for their second consecutive draw, halting their momentum as they chased the record points tally.
Miami’s hopes of surpassing New England Revolution’s all-time single-season points tally of 73, set in 2021, now appear dimmer. The draw leaves Gerardo Martino’s men with 64 points from 30 matches, meaning they must secure at least nine points from their remaining 12 fixtures to equal the record, or 10 points to break it.
Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami take an early lead before New York City FC scored a late equalizer in the dying minutes. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
