Lionel Messi hits the bottom after a pitch invader grabs him throughout a tense second in Inter Miami’s pleasant match in opposition to Independiente del Valle in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, on Thursday night.
Match Rescheduled After Damage Scare
Inter Miami confronted Ecuadorian facet Independiente del Valle in a rescheduled pleasant, initially deliberate for February 13 however postponed resulting from Messi’s hamstring discomfort from a previous exhibition in opposition to Barcelona SC. The sport came about 5 days after Miami’s 3-0 season-opening MLS loss to LAFC in Los Angeles.
Miami returns to MLS motion lower than 72 hours later, internet hosting rival Orlando Metropolis on Sunday night. Independiente del Valle kicked off their LigaPro marketing campaign with a 2-0 win over Guayaquil Metropolis final weekend and travels to Manta FC on Monday.
Uncommon Recreation Circumstances
The match at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel drew a sold-out crowd of 12,500. Kickoff delayed by a full hour over uniform points, forcing each groups into predominantly black kits that blurred distinctions from afar.
Coach Javier Mascherano began a lineup of principally reserves from the LAFC defeat. He famous beforehand that the complete squad might see motion. Messi substituted at halftime and transformed a penalty in Miami’s 2-1 victory.
Dramatic Pitch Invasion
Within the 88th minute, followers surged from behind Miami’s objective. One invader dodged Rodrigo De Paul and charged towards Messi. A safety guard redirected him, however two extra youths—one in a Barcelona shirt, the opposite Miami gear—adopted, searching for selfies and autographs.
The lead invader, now shirtless, circled again, wrapped his arms round Messi’s waist. The guard tackled the fan inside the middle circle, inadvertently pulling Messi down. Messi stood rapidly, showing unhurt and bemused.
No Miami teammates rushed to their captain’s assist amid the dysfunction. As a substitute, Independiente striker Carlos González approached Messi, putting an arm round him as safety dealt with extra invaders.
