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Telasco Segovia scored in the 10th minute of second-half stoppage time in his MLS debut and Lionel Messi had two assists as 10-man Inter Miami salvaged a 2-2 draw against visiting New York City FC in both teams' MLS opener.
Messi assists vs NYCFC
Tomas Aviles opened the scoring for the defending Supporters' Shield champions in the fifth minute but was then sent off 18 minutes later for denying Alonso Martinez an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
The Argentina connection between Aviles and Messi.
Leo gets his first assist of 2025 and @InterMiamiCF lead early.#MLSSeasonPass or Apple TV+: https://t.co/New3YJgffK pic.twitter.com/6hUqW4vjGb
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2025
Segovia helped create his chance when he took a pass from his own half of midfield with his back to the goal, immediately found Messi to his left then took off on an aggressive vertical run. Messi returned the ball into the path of Segovia, who coolly chipped the oncoming Freese to tie the game.
OH MY
Another Messi assist laaaate in stoppage time to equalize. pic.twitter.com/ZEt6KeD2Cf— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2025
Messi and Alba combined to provide Aviles' 5th-minute opener. But Aviles' night turned when he got caught in an awkward spot and pulled back Martinez alone on goal from behind resulting in a red card.
Aviles picks up a red card minutes after scoring the first goal of the MLS campaign! pic.twitter.com/FXBHE7waCd
— Leo Messi Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) February 23, 2025
Mitja Ilenic pulled NYCFC even from the ensuing restart, and Martinez gave the visitors the lead in the 55th minute when he capitalized on Jordi Alba's rare errant pass.
Sneaky, sneaky @newyorkcityfc catch Miami napping. pic.twitter.com/0r22lPyyjn
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2025
Segovia -- a 21-year-old Venezuelan who joined Miami this offseason after parts of two games in Portugal's Primeira Liga -- entered for Luis Suarez in the 59th minute.
Miami pressured throughout the second half for an equalizer. Matt Freese saved Messi's 72nd-minute free kick, and Federico Redondo fired wide on an excellent chance in the 80th minute.
HE'S SO GOOD pic.twitter.com/EsnGu0Xoom
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) February 23, 2025
But referee Alexis Da Silva added a minimum of 11 minutes of second-half extra time on account of injury attention given to Freese and a couple video review checks.
The visitors took the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Alba tried to play a square pass and instead found Martinez in a prime attacking position. Martinez finished easily for his first goal of the season after knocking in 16 in the 2024 league campaign.
LLAMARLO UN GOLEADOR LETAL SERÍA QUEDARSE CORTO pic.twitter.com/7w3yxB4ZE8
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) February 23, 2025
--Field Level Media
