Messi frustrated as San Diego hold Inter Miami to 2-2 draw

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's hopes of overtaking Nashville at the top of Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference suffered a blow on Sunday night as the champions were held to a 2-2 draw by San Diego FC in Florida.

Two goals from Danish forward Anders Dreyer secured a share of the points for the visitors at Miami's Nu Stadium, a result which leaves Miami 11 points adrift of Nashville with eight regular season games remaining.

Dreyer chips San Diego into a shock lead

Denmark international Dreyer fired San Diego ahead after 12 minutes, latching on to a superb through ball from compatriot Jeppe Tverskov before lifting a delicate chip over Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

Miami dominated territory and possession for long periods thereafter and were back on level terms in the 24th minute when Messi curled in his 101st goal for the club.

Messi reaches 930 career goals

Messi had been fouled just outside the penalty area, and his wicked curling left-footed free-kick from the edge of the area somehow threaded its way through a crowded six-yard box and clipped the inside of the post before ending in the net beyond goalkeeper CJ dos Santos.

It was his 20th goal of the 2026 MLS season and his 75th career free-kick goal. Writing on X on Sunday, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the wider milestone: "Lionel Messi has now reached 930 career goals… by scoring his 75th free kick goal. 101 goals wearing Inter Miami shirt."

The strike came just four days after Messi reached 100 goals for Inter Miami in a Campeones Cup victory over Cruz Azul. At 39, he continues to add to a remarkable career scoring record while remaining a central figure in Miami's campaign.

Suárez puts Miami ahead before Dreyer strikes again

From there, Miami laid siege to the San Diego goal and it seemed only a matter of time before they took the lead. Messi, Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul all had good chances, but somehow San Diego managed to hold on.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 74th minute when De Paul released Suárez with a clever pass on the edge of the area and the 39-year-old Uruguayan veteran lashed home the finish for 2-1.

San Diego refused to leave empty-handed, however, and Dreyer scored his second goal of the night in the 82nd minute to level the match and secure a point for the visitors.

Miami's run of draws continues

The result extended Inter Miami's run of consecutive MLS draws to four. The club now has a record of 12 wins, four losses and 10 draws, giving it 46 points, with the gap to Nashville at the top of the Eastern Conference standing at 11 points and eight regular season matches still to play.

SportsLigue