Inter Miami salvages 2-2 draw in the 90th minute as debutant Phillipi scores
Rikelme Phillipi's stoppage‑time strike salvages a point for Inter Miami; Lionel Messi returned but did not score.
Inter Miami came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at home against Cincinnati in a regular-season Major League Soccer match, with a stoppage‑time goal by debutant Rikelme Phillipi rescuing a point for the hosts.
Dramatic finish decides the result
After a goalless first half, Luis Suarez opened the scoring for Inter Miami in the 61st minute to put the home side in front. Cincinnati fought back in the closing stages: Kenji Mboma levelled in the 80th minute, and Samuel Gidi completed a quick turnaround with a counterattack goal in the 86th minute to give the visitors the lead.
Just when it appeared Inter Miami would suffer a second straight defeat, Rikelme Phillipi struck in the 90th minute from the left side of the penalty area to score his first goal in the American championship and earn the hosts a draw.
Lionel Messi, back in the lineup after missing the away game against the New York Red Bulls, did not find the net. The Argentine star returned to the team but remained goalless in a match that again exposed defensive lapses for Inter Miami.
Cincinnati still had a late chance to win in stoppage time when Evander fired from a promising position, but defender Ian Fray made a decisive intervention to block the attempt and preserve the draw.
Photo: Inter Majami H
