Argentine icon Lionel Messi converted a 69th-minute penalty on Thursday to secure a 2-1 victory for Inter Miami against Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle. The friendly, staged in Puerto Rico, drew a crowd of approximately 20,000 spectators.

After a delay of nearly an hour before kick-off, both sides eventually emerged at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon, much to the delight of the thousands packed into the island’s premier football venue.

However, the contest was marred by multiple pitch invasions. In one alarming incident, a spectator lunged at Lionel Messi and pulled him to the ground just as stadium security moved in to intercept.

While the expectant crowd had hoped to see the Argentine maestro in the starting XI, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano chose to name him among the substitutes for the first half.

Instead, it was 19-year-old Spaniard Santiago Morales who seized the spotlight early on, netting Inter Miami's opener in the 15th minute. The teenager latched onto a pinpoint long ball from veteran Uruguayan Luis Suarez, expertly rounding both his marker and goalkeeper Guido Villar to make it 0-1.

The lead proved short-lived. Barely sixty seconds later, Ecuadorian Patrik Mercado restored parity for Independiente del Valle, drilling a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner that goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo was unable to keep out.

As the intensity ramped up, Suarez almost regained the lead in the 37th minute with a thunderous free-kick. The effort looked certain to find the net, but Villar produced a stunning fingertip save to deny the veteran. The stop came at a cost, however; Villar landed awkwardly and, after receiving treatment from the medical staff, was forced off and replaced by Miguel Peralta.

During the break in play, the sight of Lionel Messi warming up sparked a wave of euphoria through the stands. The fans’ patience was finally rewarded when the World Cup winner was introduced at the start of the second half.

Independiente del Valle pushed for a second in the 62nd minute, creating two clear-cut openings in quick succession, but Rios Novo stood firm to preserve the scoreline.

The decisive moment arrived seven minutes later as Messi clinicaly dispatched his penalty, bringing the thousands in attendance to their feet in celebration of a landmark sporting event for the island.

Prior to this clash, Inter Miami's pre-season schedule had seen them fall 3-0 to Alianza Lima, edge Atletico Nacional 2-1, and draw 2-2 with Barcelona de Guayaquil. Their domestic campaign, however, began on a sour note last Saturday with a 3-0 defeat to Los Angeles FC in their MLS opener—a competition where they are defending champions.

Conversely, Independiente del Valle have enjoyed a bright start to their 2026 campaign, having opened their LigaPro season with a 2-0 win over Guayaquil City FC. The Ecuadorian side are also set to feature as seeds in the upcoming Copa Libertadores group stage.

S. Morales

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