Messi's comeback club-football ends in frustration as Miami held 2-2 by Columbus

Lionel Messi made his return to club football following the FIFA World Cup, but Inter Miami were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew in an eventful Major League Soccer (MLS) encounter on Saturday (August 1).

The Kick-off was delayed by 40 minutes because of adverse weather conditions before the hosts took an early lead through Luis Suárez.

The veteran Uruguayan forward opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a spectacular chipped effort from nearly 40 yards, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to register one of the standout goals of the MLS season.

It was Suárez's 10th league goal of the campaign and his seventh in his last four appearances across all competitions.

Columbus equalised in the 34th minute when Casemiro, making his debut for Inter Miami, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a dangerous attack.

Inter Miami regained the advantage in first-half stoppage time through Noah Allen, whose goal was confirmed after a VAR review.

Messi entered the match as a 53rd-minute substitute, receiving a warm ovation from the home crowd in his first appearance since the World Cup.

The Argentine captain immediately added creativity to Miami's attack and came close to scoring on multiple occasions. Two second-half efforts narrowly missed the target as he looked to mark his return with a goal.

Columbus found a second equaliser in the 84th minute, with Bryce Mendes converting a free kick to earn the visitors a share of the points.

Messi nearly snatched victory deep into stoppage time, but his close-range header and a later effort from inside the penalty area both went narrowly wide.

The draw leaves Inter Miami second in the Eastern Conference standings with 38 points from 18 matches, two points behind leaders Nashville, who top the table with 40 points.