Lionel Messi was on target but he could not prevent Inter Miamis winless run extending to four games following a feisty 2-2 draw at the Philadelphia Union. Miami came into the game on the back of three successive defeats and, although they stopped the rot, they will be disappointed not to have taken all three points back to Florida after leading at half-time.Both teams finished the game with 10 men with the Unions 16-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan and Miamis Yannick Bright sent off deep into injury-time for an off-the-ball scuffle.They are a powerful team, said Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos. I would have liked the three points, of course, but it was an evenly matched game where we had to work hard for the draw.There were chances for both sides; it was a back-and-forth game. Both teams were pushing for a positive result and it turned into an incredibly intense match.Table of ContentsMessi grabs 13th goal the seasonSullivan sees red as tempers flareMessi grabs 13th goal the season Indiana Vassilev put Philadelphia in front after 11 minutes with a neat volley before Messi took control.The Argentina captain supplied the cross that Luis Suarez headed into the path of Daniel Pinter for the equaliser, and Messi himself put Miami ahead five minutes later, cutting on to his left foot and curling a trademark effort into the bottom left-hand corner.It was his 13th goal he also has nine assists in 17 Major League Soccer games this season.Miami could not hold on, though, and Sullivan supplied the ball for fellow teenager Neil Pierre to head home 13 minutes into the second half.It could have been worse for Miami but Milan Iloskis 62nd-minute effort was ruled out for offside.Sullivan sees red as tempers flareA tetchy encounter ended with two red cards with Bright and Sullivan engaging in a scuffle in the 13th minute of injury time.The draw means Miami fall seven points behind Nashville SC at the top of the Eastern Standings. Nashville, who beat Miami 4-1 at the weekend, were 1-0 winners at the New York Red Bulls thanks to Maxwell Woledzis last-gasp goal. Topics Inter Miami CF Lionel Messi Philadelphia Union Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Philadelphia Union v Inter Miami CF Line-ups, stats and preview 101 GreatGoals 19th August, 2026 Misery for Messi after missing THIRD successive penalty as Inter Miami are hammered in Nashville Jon Fisher 16th August, 2026 Nashville v Inter Miami: Expected line-ups, where to watch, stats and preview Mitch Fretton 14th August, 2026 Inter Miami team-mates astonished by Messis return to action just hours after he hinted at retirement Jon Fisher 13th August, 2026 Lionel Messi releases emotional statement following Dads death and hints at retirement Jon Fisher 13th August, 2026 Vitinha votes for outsider trio as Ballon dOr winners: It would be normal Ben Miller 11th August, 2026
