Lionel Messi held scoreless in Peru, but Inter Miami defeats Universitario in penalty shootout

 

Lionel Messi held scoreless in Peru, but Inter Miami defeats Universitario in penalty shootout

Lionel Messi played 72 minutes in a preseason match in Peru on Wednesday night, but was unable to score as Inter Miami defeated Universitario, the back-to-back champions of Peru, in a 5-4 penalty shootout after a scoreless draw at Estadio Monumental in Lima.

Messi, wearing a black sweatsuit and an orthopedic boot, left the field after his shift, clapping toward fans in the packed stadium. Inter Miami’s Julian Gressel, Santi Morales, David Ruiz, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Yannick Bright all converted in the shootout, while Universitario’s Jairo Vélez missed his attempt.

Although Messi didn’t score, his presence was deeply felt by the fans in Peru. The local media welcomed him with the headline “Dios está in Peru” (“God is here in Peru”), and his arrival in Lima caused an outpouring of excitement, with fans surrounding Inter Miami’s team bus as it slowly made its way through the city.

During the match, Messi was active, pushing forward on several occasions and taking two free kicks. He also faced aggressive defending from Universitario, leading to him hitting the ground multiple times and visibly protesting to the referees. However, he quickly recovered and continued to play without issue.

The match highlighted that Messi is in good physical condition ahead of a busy 2025 season, which will include tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and MLS competitions.

Inter Miami’s preseason has included high-level competition, including matchups against the champions of Mexico and Peru, mimicking the kind of tough competition they will face in the Club World Cup. In their January 18 match against LIGA MX champions Club America in Las Vegas, Messi scored a header, and the team won 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw.

Looking ahead, Inter Miami will continue their preseason with matches against Sporting San Miguelito in Panama City on February 4 and Club Deportivo Olimpia in San Pedro Sula on February 8. The team will play three games in 11 days, simulating the regular-season demands. This will test their ability to manage fatigue, particularly with their aging stars like Messi (37), Luis Suarez (38), Sergio Busquets (36), and Jordi Alba (35).

Inter Miami’s final preseason match is against MLS rival Orlando City on February 14 in Tampa. The team will then focus on the Concacaf Champions Cup, facing Sporting Kansas City on February 19, followed by the start of the MLS season against New York City FC on February 22.

Penalty Shootout Results: Inter Miami defeated Universitario 5-4 in the penalty shootout.

• Round 1: Diego Churín (Universitario) scores, Julian Gressel (Inter Miami) scores: 1-1
• Round 2: Horacio Calcaterra (Universitario) scores, Santi Morales (Inter Miami) scores: 2-2
• Round 3: Jairo Vélez (Universitario) misses, David Ruiz (Inter Miami) scores: 2-3
• Round 4: Jairo Concha (Universitario) scores, Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami) scores: 3-4
• Round 5: José Rivera (Universitario) scores, Yannick Bright (Inter Miami) scores: 4-5

How to watch the Inter Miami vs. Universitario match:

• U.S. and Canada: InterMiamiCF.com, Inter Miami’s YouTube page
• Peru Local Broadcast: Latina Televisión, Gol TV
• Rest of World: OneFootball (App)

Messi’s viral celebration vs. Club America: After scoring a header against Club America, Messi’s celebration went viral on social media. It seemed to be a playful gesture, signaling three fingers, possibly representing Argentina’s three World Cup titles, while cheekily reminding the Mexican club that they haven’t won a major international title.

MLS Season Updates: In 2025, MLS fans can watch matches through Xfinity, DirecTV, and T-Mobile, with T-Mobile offering free access to MLS Season Pass for its users. The league is also debuting “Sunday Night Soccer” to showcase its most exciting matchups.

World Cup 2026 Countdown: With less than 500 days until the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, the soccer world is gearing up for the tournament, with Messi and the U.S. men’s national team expected to be at the forefront.

Domestic Tournaments: MLS announced that all 30 clubs will participate in at least one domestic tournament in 2025, including the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup, and the Canadian Championship.

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