Inter Miami Kicks Off Preseason Tour With Thrilling Victory Over Club América

Inter Miami has officially launched its 2025 preseason tour with an exhilarating match against Mexico’s Club América, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game ended in a dramatic 3-2 victory for Inter Miami after a penalty shootout, following a 2-2 draw in regulation time. Argentine superstar Lionel Messi played a pivotal role, scoring the equalizer and showcasing his skills alongside former Barcelona teammates Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba.

Key Takeaways

• Inter Miami began its preseason with a thrilling 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Club América.
• Lionel Messi scored the equalizer in the first half, marking his first goal of the 2025 season.
• The match featured a strong lineup, including Messi, Suárez, and Alba, under new head coach Javier Mascherano.

Match Overview

The match kicked off with Club América taking an early lead in the 31st minute, thanks to a goal from Henry Martín. However, just three minutes later, Messi leveled the score with a well-placed header from a cross by Suárez. The first half ended in a 1-1 deadlock.

In the second half, Club América regained the lead with a goal from Israel Reyes in the 52nd minute. Yet, Inter Miami fought back, with Tomás Avilés scoring a last-minute equalizer in stoppage time, sending the match to penalties.

Penalty Shootout Drama

The penalty shootout was filled with tension, as both teams struggled to convert their chances. The first three penalties were missed, with Inter Miami’s Federico Redondo and Club América’s Víctor Dávila and Alan Cervantes all failing to score. However, Inter Miami took the lead when Héctor Martínez converted his penalty.

Club América’s Richard Sánchez missed his attempt, giving Miami a crucial advantage. Despite a miss from Julien Gressel, Santiago Morales stepped up to score the decisive penalty, securing the victory for Inter Miami.

Upcoming Matches

Inter Miami’s preseason tour continues with four more matches scheduled across Central and South America. The team is set to face:

1. Universitario in Lima, Peru on January 29.
2. Sporting San Miguelito in Panama.
3. Olimpia in Honduras.
4. Orlando City in Tampa on February 14.

The team is gearing up for a busy 2025 season, aiming to compete in multiple tournaments, including the MLS, Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the Club World Cup.

Looking Ahead

With Messi’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, fans are left speculating about his future. Meanwhile, head coach Javier Mascherano has the opportunity to assess his squad’s performance as they prepare for the upcoming challenges in the MLS and beyond. The next official match for Inter Miami is against Sporting Kansas City on February 18, marking the start of their competitive season.

Sources

• Inter Miami Kicks Off Exhibition Tour with Victory – footboom1.com, FootBoom.
• Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s 2025 Match Schedule – footboom1.com, FootBoom.
• Club América Suffer Penalty Shootout Loss to Lionel Messi-Inspired Inter Miami | OneFootball, OneFootball.
• Javier Mascherano era at Inter Miami begins with fortunate penalties win over Club América as Lionel Messi scores brilliant first-half goal | Goal.com UK, Goal.com.
• Lionel Messi preseason goal – Lionel Messi scores as Inter Miami triumphs over Club America in preseason opener – SportsTak, SportsTak.