Home Football Messi Rеgistеrs Three Shоts on Gоal, Sᴜbstitᴜtеd in Secо𝚗d Half as I𝚗ter Miaмi Falls 1-0 to FC Dallas in MLS Frie𝚗dly

Messi Rеgistеrs Three Shоts on Gоal, Sᴜbstitᴜtеd in Secо𝚗d Half as I𝚗ter Miaмi Falls 1-0 to FC Dallas in MLS Frie𝚗dly

Football — 01/23/2024

In a chilly and drizzly MLS preseason game at the Cotton Bowl on Monday night, Lionel Messi had three shots on goal for Inter Miami before being substitᴜted early in the second half. Despite Messi’s efforts, Inter Miami suffered a 1-0 loss to FC Dallas, with Jesús Ferreira scoring an uncontested goal just three minutes into the match.

FC Dallas forward Logan Farrington (23) attacks against Inter Miami defender Ryan Sailor during the second half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. FC Dallas won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Messi’s first two shots were saved by goalkeeper Maarten Paes in the first half, while his third shot went wide left in the 27th minute. He left the game around 15 minutes into the second half, contributing to Inter Miami’s strᴜggle against FC Dallas.

Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender (1) goes up to make a save against FC Dallas during the second half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. FC Dallas won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Uruguayan star Luis Suárez, Messi’s former teammate at FC Barcelona, made his debut on American soil with Inter Miami, having joined the team in December. Suárez had two shots on goal in the first half, with one saved by Paes and the other going wide right in the 44th minute.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi acknowledges supporters as he leaves the pitch during the second half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match against FC Dallas, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. FC Dallas won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Inter Miami, despite its attacking efforts, failed to score for the second consecutive preseason game after a 0-0 draw against El Salvador on Friday. FC Dallas managed to hold off the opposing team’s shots in the second half, utilizing goalkeepers Jimmy Maurer and Antonio Carrera.

FC Dallas' Nkosi Tafari controls the ball against Inter Miami during the first half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Reflecting on the unique opportunity to play against Messi, FC Dallas president Dan Hᴜnt expressed gratitude for having the football legend visit their market for the second time. Messi, who arrived in Miami last July, played a crucial role in leading Inter Miami to its first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 19.

Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender makes a save against FC Dallas during the second half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. FC Dallas won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Inter Miami’s preseason journey continues with matches against Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia on Monday and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Feb. 2.

FC Dallas defender Omar Gonzalez, right, shoots as Inter Miami midfielder Lawson Sunderland (43) looks on during the second half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. FC Dallas won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez).

Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez leaves the pitch during the second half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match against FC Dallas, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. FC Dallas won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez).

Spectators line a fence while trying to get a look of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi as he leaves the field during the second half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match against FC Dallas, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. FC Dallas won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez).

Light fog is seen over spectators as they watch the first half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match between FC Dallas and Inter Miami, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez).

Spectators line a fence while trying to get a look of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi as he leaves the field during the second half of a preseason friendly MLS soccer match against FC Dallas, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. FC Dallas won 1-0. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)