Lionel Messi Makes MLS Comeback as Inter Miami Draw Columbus Crew 2-2

Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami on Saturday, making his first Major League Soccer appearance since the World Cup as his side shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew.

The Argentine captain came on in the 53rd minute, just two weeks after Argentina lost to Spain in the World Cup final, receiving a loud ovation from supporters at Nu Stadium.

Inter Miami opened the scoring in the 16th minute through the in-form Luis Suarez, whose strike marked his seventh goal in four games.

Columbus equalised before the break after Casemiro accidentally scored an own goal in the 34th minute, but Suarez quickly helped Miami regain the lead by providing the assist for Noah Allen’s header.

The visitors, however, fought back in the closing stages as debutant Brais Mendez curled home a superb free-kick in the 84th minute to earn Columbus a share of the points.

The result brought Inter Miami’s six-match winning run to an end, although the club remains second in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville following their 2-2 draw with DC United.

Elsewhere, Los Angeles FC and Vancouver Whitecaps stayed level at the summit of the Western Conference after a 1-1 draw.

Son Heung-min continued his impressive scoring run by netting for Los Angeles in the 37th minute, taking his tally to four goals in four league games since the MLS resumed after the World Cup.

Thomas Mueller rescued a point for Vancouver with a penalty in the 76th minute, while Son capped another productive week after being named the MLS All-Star Game MVP on Wednesday despite criticism over South Korea’s World Cup campaign.

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