Lionel Messi’s quest to secure a maiden victory at Inter Miami’s state-of-the-art Nu Stadium ended in frustration on Saturday night as a late defensive lapse allowed the New York Red Bulls to snatch a 2-2 draw. Despite a dominant second-half performance from the Argentine superstar, the Herons remain winless at their new Miami Freedom Park home after two consecutive stalemates.
The match appeared destined for a historic Miami celebration until the 88th minute when 17-year-old substitute Mehmeti capitalised on a loose ball in the box to silence the capacity crowd. The result mirrors Miami’s opening night draw against Austin FC, leaving Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s side with two points from a possible six at their ultra-modern grounds.
Messi was the primary catalyst for Miami’s offensive surges, constantly testing the Red Bulls’ backline with incisive passing and trademark free-kicks. While he failed to find the net himself on this occasion, his gravity opened space for his teammates, though the finishing lacked the clinical edge required to put the game out of reach before the final whistle.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino expressed a mix of pride and disappointment regarding the team's inability to close out the game. He noted that the squad is still adapting to the dimensions and atmosphere of the new pitch but emphasised that dropped points at home are always difficult to swallow.
The New York Red Bulls, meanwhile, celebrated the draw as a testament to their resilience. Red Bulls coaching staff praised the composure of their younger players, specifically highlighting Mehmeti’s bravery in a high-pressure environment against one of the world’s greatest players. The visitors' high-press tactic successfully disrupted Miami's rhythm for large portions of the first half.
Inter Miami must now wait until late April to attempt another victory at Nu Stadium as they prepare for a challenging road trip. The club travels to face the Colorado Rapids next weekend, followed by a midweek clash against Real Salt Lake, before returning home to host the New England Revolution on April 26.