Charlotte F.C.with a great performance by the Croatian Kristijan Kahlinatied 1-1 this Saturday in the field of Inter Miami in the MLS and frustrated Leo Messiwho despite scoring a great goal, left the field amidst controversy, reprimanded for protesting angrily to the referee after the Uruguayan Luis Suárez forgave a goal option.
Despite the final frustration, the tie came without major consequences for Inter Miami, which continues to lead the East with eight points ahead of a Columbus Crew that did not go beyond 2-2 in the field of DC United. With three days left to go, Argentine coach Gerardo Martino’s Inter Miami is close to winning the Supporters’ Shield for the best team of the regular season, although a high-voltage match awaits them next Wednesday at the Crew’s field.
Inter Miami left the field with serious faces and with Messi enraged with the referee. The Argentine protested for two alleged fouls not called in favor of his team in added time and ended up receiving the yellow card when the referee had already blown the final whistle. “You’re a badass, son of a bitch,” he reportedly told the referee according to ‘Olé’. He escaped the red card and was only reprimanded.
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Inter Miami was losing due to a goal from Poland’s Karol Swiderski in the 57th minute, after a defensive error by Jordi Alba, which kept him in an enabled position. Messi had missed a great opportunity in the first half and ran into Kahlina three more times in the second, until he managed to equalize 1-1 with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the area.
The Argentine celebrated with rage and Inter Miami stepped on the accelerator with everything, without being able to knock down Kahlina’s wall. Those from Florida savored a penalty scored by Paraguayan Diego Gómez, but the referee annulled it after reviewing the play on the screen located at the foot of the field.
Ecuadorian Leonardo Campana had a huge opportunity in added time, when he received a perfect through ball from Matías Rojas. His shot was stopped by an extraordinary Kahlina. It was not the last emotion of a match in which there were also several spontaneous players, especially boys, who tried to jump onto the field of play.
Despite a very complicated night, Inter Miami had its best chance in the 102nd minute, but it was forgiven by Uruguayan Luis Suárez inside the small area. He shot with his left foot under pressure from Kahlina and sent her outside. El Pistolero protested a possible penalty, which the referee did not award.