Inter Miami Shock MLS with Last-Minute Win: Lionel Messi Goal, Match Highlights & What’s Next

Messi-led Inter Miami clawed back from a two-goal deficit to draw 3-3 with the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, May 24, extending their winless streak to seven of the last eight matches but keeping them atop the early Supporters’ Shield race thanks to a late flourish of superstar quality. Lionel Messi bent a trademark 84th-minute free-kick around the wall to ignite the comeback before substitute Luis Suárez tapped home in stoppage time, rescuing a point that felt more like a victory for Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s injury-hit roster. The Argentine icon now has 11 goals and 8 assists in just 10 league appearances this season, reaffirming why every Inter Miami fixture is must-see TV for global audiences and South Florida supporters alike. Defensive frailties remain the story Despite the attacking fireworks, Miami’s back line continues to leak goals at an alarming rate. The Herons have already conceded 21 times in 2025 after allowing 49 in the entirety of their 2024 Supporters’ Shield campaign—an average that threatens their title ambitions if not corrected quickly. Injuries to center-backs Nicolás Freyre and Sergii Kryvtsov, plus full-back rotation, have forced Martino into multiple tactical tweaks, including a recent switch to a 3-5-2 that has yet to deliver defensive stability. Playoff picture and what’s next Even with the draw, Miami remain first in the Eastern Conference on 26 points, narrowly ahead of FC Cincinnati and the surging Columbus Crew. A midweek home clash against Orlando City looms large before a marquee visit from reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC early next month. June also brings a U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 showdown that could test squad depth as Copa América call-ups begin to strip the roster. How to watch and stream Inter Miami Every regular-season match is available through MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with select fixtures simulcast on Fox and FS1 in the United States. Saturday’s dramatic six-goal thriller drew one of the highest streaming audiences of the 2025 campaign, underscoring the continuing Messi effect on MLS viewership. Locally, games air on Miami-Dade’s Channel 33 in Spanish, while radio partner WQBA 1140 AM carries live commentary. Key stats you need to know • 11 – Messi goals (1st in MLS) • 21 – Goals conceded by Miami (24th in MLS) • +8 – Goal difference, buoyed by league-best 29 scored • 5 – Straight road games without a win • 3 – Home sell-outs already announced for June Fan experience and ticket demand DRV PNK Stadium continues to buzz, with secondary-market tickets routinely topping $350 for midfield seats. The club has started construction on Miami Freedom Park, set to open in 2027 with a projected 25,000-seat capacity. Season-ticket renewals for 2026 opened last week and reportedly sold out in under eight hours, reflecting the unprecedented surge in South Florida soccer interest since Messi’s arrival. Bottom line Inter Miami remain MLS’s headline attraction: a team capable of breathtaking attacking sequences and dramatic comebacks, yet prone to defensive lapses that keep every match on a knife’s edge. As long as Messi stays healthy and the back line tightens up, the Herons will be legitimate contenders for domestic silverware—and every twist of their 2025 journey will dominate MLS highlight reels and search results.