Lionel Messi scored a penalty kick to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 win against Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle in a rescheduled preseason match in Puerto Rico on Thursday, Feb. 26.
The match became a bit chaotic in the final minutes as several fans invaded the pitch in the 88th minute, including one who tackled Messi near midfield as local police and security personnel tried to clear the field.
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Messi quickly got up unscathed, but it did not stop other fans, mostly children, from trying to get their moment next to him. He was escorted off the pitch as the match ended.
Inter Miami’s Santi Morales scored on an assist from Luis Suárez in the 16h minute, before Independiente del Valle’s Patrik Mercado scored one minute later in the first half.
Messi did not start the match, coming off the bench in the second half. He scored in the 70th minute, firing his shot into the upper right corner after Suárez secured the opportunity by forcing a handball inside the box.
Messi delivered the highlight moment to fans at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Baymon, Puerto Rico, who were originally expecting to see the World Cup champion and two-time MLS MVP on Feb. 13. The match was postponed because Messi suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason.
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Along with the chaotic ending, the match started an hour after its scheduled start time because both teams wore black jerseys during the exhibition.
Nonetheless, Inter Miami’s preseason is over, and it can turn its attention back to the 2026 MLS season.
Inter Miami will visit Orlando City at Inter&Co Stadium – a venue Messi has yet to play in since joining MLS in July 2023. Messi played the entire match in the season-opening 3-0 loss to LAFC on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Inter Miami vs. Independiente del Valle highlights
Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule
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March 1: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 7 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
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March 7: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
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March 14: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)
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March 18: Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC, 7 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
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March 22: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 1 p.m. (MLS regular season)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi tackled by fan who ran onto pitch during Puerto Rico game
