Inter Miami player ratings vs Necaxa: Lionel Messi's injury casts shadow over the Herons' dramatic Leagues Cup shootout win

Inter Miami survived a chaotic night and pulled out a dramatic 5-4 shootout League win over Necaxa after a 2-2 draw in regulation, but the focus quickly shifted to the club’s biggest star. Just 11 minutes in, Lionel Messi went down with an apparent injury overshadowing what should have been a triumphant Leagues Cup result.

Both teams finished with 10 men, and it took a flawless penalty from Luis Suárez to seal the result. Still, all eyes were on Messi – and the uncertainty surrounding MLS’s biggest star. His injury overshadowed everything Saturday, even as Miami walked away with two points. In this revamped Leagues Cup format, points matter – but Messi matters more. And depending on the severity of the injury, his availability is now in question.

The Argentine went down in the 11th minute and, just moments later, he was down the tunnel. Miami, though, seemed unfazed. Minutes after Messi’s exit, Telasco Segovia opened the scoring on the first of two Rodrigo De Paul assists. The chaos continued from there, though, as Maxi Falcon was sent off in the 17th minute to force Miami into panic mode. They held on until the 33rd minute before conceding an equalizing goal to Tomas Badaloni.

Not to be outdone, the second half was equally dramatic. A 61st-minute red card to Necaxa’s Cristian Calderon opened the game back up, but the Liga MX side seized the lead in the 81st minute on a Ricardo Monreal finish. Not dead yet, Miami responded in the 92nd minute with a Jordi Alba header, sending the game to penalties. Once there, Rocco Rios Novos made the one save needed for the Herons, leaving Suarez there to bury a decisive penalty kick to seal the Miami win.

With the two points for the shootout win, Miami will feel good about their Leagues Cup hopes heading into their final match with Pumas. They won’t feel good, though, about the loss of their captain and leader. Despite the shootout win, there will be few good vibes on South Beach as everyone awaits an update on Messi.

بالجم rates Inter Miami’s players from Chase Stadium..

Inter Miami survived a chaotic night and pulled out a dramatic 5-4 shootout League win over Necaxa after a 2-2 draw in regulation, but the focus quickly shifted to the club’s biggest star. Just 11 minutes in, Lionel Messi went down with an apparent injury, overshadowing what should have been a triumphant Leagues Cup result.

بالجم rates Inter Miami’s players from Chase Stadium..

Rocco Rios Novo (7/10):

Not at fault for either goal, and he did add five saves on other opportunities. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Jordi Alba (6/10):

Quieter than usual, which is understandable considering Miami played a bulk of the match down a man. Got his moment late, though, as he scored the stoppage-time equalizer with a fantastic header.

Noah Allen (5/10):

Was largely good, but totally lost Badaloni for Necaxa’s goal. It was obviously a tough situation to be in, but that mistake was a rough one, 10 men or not.

Maxi Falcon (2/10):

Harsh? Yes. Avoidable? Also yes. Falcon has plenty of reasons to be frustrated with his sending off, but ultimately, that sending off defined the game.

Marcelo Weigandt (4/10):

It was his poor backpass that ultimately put Falcon in danger. He did little to really atone for that, doing little with the ball.

Telasco Segovia (8/10):

A real moment of quality from a player with the ability to provide it. Segovia’s goal was all him as he took his time, picked his spot and found the back of the net.

Sergio Busquets (6/10):

Really helped keep Miami settled after Messi’s injury and the Falcon red card. Didn’t impact the game in any meaningful way statistically, but he certainly did provide some stability for a team that needed it.

Rodrigo de Paul (8/10):

Forced into a more playmaking role once Messi went down and he thrived in it. He led the match in fouls drawn and chances created, including the assists on both goals.

Tade Allende (N/A):

The unfortunate victim who was forced to make way after Falcon’s red card. Had just six touches before leaving in the 17th minute.

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Luis Suarez (7/10):

Did as much as he could to make life hell for the Necaxa back line. Was able to create a few chances, too, as he made sure that Miami remained dangerous even when down a man.

Lionel Messi (N/A):

Lasted just 11 minutes. Miami will be holding their breath as they await news on their star’s injury.

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Federico Redondo (7/10):

Came on once Messi went down, leading to a switch in tactics. Miami will be glad they did, too, as Redondo ran the midfield while winning duel after duel.

Gonzalo Lujan (5/10):

A tough spot to be thrown into, but Lujan did fairly well. Was caught out a bit, though, on the second goal.

Benja Cremaschi (5/10):

Came on midway through the second half as Inter Miami went more narrow. Didn’t see much of the ball and, as a result, wasn’t really able to impact the game.

Yannick Bright (6/10):

Could have closed down a bit better on Necaxa’s second, but otherwise provided much-needed energy.

Tomas Aviles (6/10):

Replaced Allen in the second half. Didn’t do much.

Javier Mascherano (6/10):

Nothing went to plan, did it? Mascherano was forced into chess match and, generally, did well with it. Did he go too narrow? Maybe but, in truth, few managers could navigate the loss of Messi and an early red card much better.