Philadelphia Union 3-3 Inter Miami: Messi strikes in last-gasp comeback

Inter Miami salvaged a draw from the jaws of defeat with a late, Lionel Messi-inspired comeback in a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union.

Miami seemed to be heading for a fourth defeat in the space of six MLS games when Tai Baribo’s second of the match put the Union into a 3-1 lead on Saturday.

Quinn Sullivan put Philadelphia ahead early on at Subaru Park, where Baribo made it 2-0 in the 44th minute.

Tadeo Allende’s fifth league goal of the campaign dragged Miami back into it, yet Baribo doubled up just after Telasco Segovia saw a goal disallowed for the visitors at the other end.

But a sublime Messi free-kick reduced the deficit in the 87th minute, paving the way for Segovia to smash home from distance in stoppage time.

The draw means Philadelphia hold just a one-point advantage at the top of the Eastern Conference, while Miami are seven points back in sixth place.

Here’s the art to go with the magic you watched tonight.#PHIvMIA #InterMiamiCF pic.twitter.com/ART0NorC1Z

— Opta Analyst US (@OptaAnalystUS) May 25, 2025

Data Debrief: Messi continues Union hot streak

Messi has now scored four goals in three career matches against Philadelphia in all competitions, scoring at least once in all three games.

In fact, the Argentine has now had a streak of four or more consecutive games with a goal against 20 different teams in his career, but this is the first time he has done so while not playing Barcelona.

Baribo, though, leads the scoring charts in MLS with 13 goals this season, and he has now netted in four straight games.

Without a win in four league games, their longest run since 2023, Miami can at least take solace with a point. They generated 1.3 expected goals compared to the Union’s 2.83 xG, but found the cutting edge when it mattered late on.