Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) hugs Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) after he scored a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Lionel Messi made a successful return after a lengthy absence, scoring two goals and assisting on the third to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Messi had not played with Inter Miami since June 1 due to national team commitments and a right ankle injury. Luis Suarez contributed with an assist and secured Miami's win with a goal on Messi's assist during second-half stoppage time. Messi's first goal in the 26th minute levelled the score at 1-1. Four minutes later, Messi received a crossing pass inside the box and beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick with a 15-yard shot. Suarez had a goal in the 44th minute overturned after a video review ruled an offside infraction. Fans had barely settled in when Union forward Mikael Uhre stunned the home crowd with a goal just two minutes into the match.
Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) hugs Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) after he scored a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) takes a selfie with a young teen who ran on the field shortly after he assisted on a goal by Luis Alvarez during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Philadelphia Union midfielder D. Jean Jacques and Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi (30) go after the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba (18) jumps over Philadelphia Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (11) during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender (1) deflects a corner kick during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball away from Philadelphia Union midfielder Leon Flach (31) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Teammates celebrate a goal by Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (7) during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender (1) is unable to catch a goal by Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (7) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Philadelphia Union defender Nathan Harriel (26) and Inter Miami midfielder Diego G?mez (20) go after the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi (10) its hugged by his teammates after scoring his second goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Philadelphia Union in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.