Messi Returns as Inter Miami Draw 2-2 against Columbus Crew

Lionel Messi made his return to Major League Soccer on Saturday, appearing for Inter Miami in their 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew. The Argentine superstar entered the match in the 53rd minute, two weeks after Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain. Fans at Miami's Nu Stadium welcomed Messi back, but he was unable to mark his return with a goal, missing two shots wide.

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But Messi could not mark his return with a goal, twice shooting wide.

Inter Miami took the lead in the 16th minute with a goal from Luis Suarez, his seventh in his last four games. However, Columbus Crew equalized in the 34th minute due to an own goal by Miami's Casemiro. Miami regained the lead before halftime with a header from Noah Allen, assisted by Suarez.

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Uruguayan Luis Suarez scored his seventh goal in his last four games to put Miami 1-0 up in the 16th minute.

Columbus secured a second equalizer in the 84th minute through a curling free-kick from Brais Mendez, who was making his debut for the team. The draw snapped Inter Miami's six-match winning streak and maintained their second-place position in the Eastern Conference, trailing Nashville. Other MLS matches also saw draws, including a 1-1 tie between Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps.

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Miami's former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro scored an own goal in the 34th minute which drew Columbus level at 1-1.