Club América Suffer Penalty Shootout Loss to Lionel Messi-Inspired Inter Miami | OneFootball

Club América lossed via a penalty shootout as they faced Inter Miami in a friendly at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The fixture marked the MLS side’s pre-season opener, with former Barcelona stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets all featuring in the match.

André Jardine went with a strong lineup for the clash in Nevada, featuring Henry Martín up top, Luis Malagón in goal, and Álvaro Fidalgo pulling the strings in midfield. Of the starting XI, only Erick Sánchez had been part of Las Águilas’ squad in their Liga MX Apertura final against Monterrey last month.

The Game

The first chance of the game fell to the 16 times Liga MX champions. Stretching the Inter Miami defence, Fidalgo fired a ball into the box but Martín was unable to direct his effort towards goal.

América broke the deadlock right on the 30-minute mark. Working their way down the left flank again, they packed the box with bodies, with Fidalgo once more at the centre of it all. A clever flick from him found Brian Rodríguez, who burst through on goal before laying it off on a plate for Martín to tap in one of the easiest goals of his career.

América’s lead lasted just three minutes as Sergio Cáceres failed to clear a rare Miami attack, leaving the ball at Luis Suárez’s feet. The former Liverpool, Ajax and Barcelona forward lofted a perfectly placed ball across the face of the goal, where Lionel Messi was waiting to head it comfortably into the back of the net.

The sides went into the break at 1-1 but the scoreline changed once again early into the second half when Las Águilas took the lead for the second time in the game. A quickly taken corner caused havoc as Rocco Novo failed to collect the inswinging corner. In a sudden scramble for the ball, it fell into the path of Israel Reyes who was able to drive his effort beyond the 'keeper.

In the dying seconds of the game, Inter Miami made the most of one last opportunity to force a penalty shootout. Julien Gressel swung in a corner meeting the head of Tomas Aviles who was able to powerfully header home the equaliser.

Penalty Shootout

The first three penalties were all missed, with Víctor Dávila and Alan Cervantes failing to convert for América, and Federico Redondo squandering his attempt for Inter Miami.

Miami took the advantage with their second penalty, as Héctor Martínez found the net. Richard Sánchez then missed the third consecutive spot kick for the Liga MX champions.

América had a lifeline when Gressel also missed, and Javairo Dilrosun got the Mexican side on the scoreboard.

David Ruiz and Cristian Calderón both made their penalties, but Marcelo Wigandt and Ramón Juárez couldn't convert. The shootout was finally settled when Santiago Morales scored to seal the third and decisive penalty for Inter Miami.