Lionel Messi<\/a> scored his first goal of 2025, as Inter Miami CF<\/a> rallied to beat LIGA MX powerhouse Club Am\u00e9rica 3-2 on penalties<\/a> in their preseason opener at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday night.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The former FC Barcelona trio of Messi, Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> and Jordi Alba<\/a> combined to level for the Herons in the 34th minute. Alba sought out Suarez at the back post, and the legendary Uruguayan clipped a ball in front of goal, which Messi headed home.<\/p>\n That came just three minutes after the reigning LIGA MX champions broke the stalemate, with Henry Mart\u00edn crashing the back post to tap in a pass from former LAFC<\/a> winger Brian Rodr\u00edguez.<\/p>\n Messi\u2019s goal was his first under new manager Javier Mascherano a year after posting 36 goal contributions (20g\/16a) in just 19 matches en route to being named the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP<\/a>.<\/p>\n Las \u00c1guilas regained their lead when Israel Reyes capitalized on a defensive miscue in the 53rd minute, but Tom\u00e1s Avil\u00e9s<\/a> equalized at the death for Inter Miami, heading in a sublime corner kick by Julian Gressel<\/a>.<\/p>\n The match would be decided by a penalty kick shootout after a 2-2 draw, with recently-signed Miami goalkeeper Rocco R\u00edos Novo<\/a> making a pair of saves and 17-year-old homegrown Santi Morales<\/a> scoring the decisive penalty as the Herons won the shootout, 3-2.<\/p>\n Inter Miami will next meet Universitario de Deportes in Peru during their five-match preseason tour<\/a>. They’re preparing for the club’s 2025 MLS regular-season opener on Feb. 22 vs. New York City FC<\/a> and their Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> return on Feb. 18 at Sporting Kansas City<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nGoals<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Lineups<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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