Messi Shines in Bay Area Debut as Inter Miami and San Jose Earthquakes Draw 3-3

Lionel Messi’s long-awaited Bay Area debut lived up to the hype—even if the result left fans wanting more.

In front of a packed house of 18,000 at PayPal Park, Inter Miami and the San Jose Earthquakes played to a thrilling 3-3 draw on Wednesday night. It was Messi’s first-ever match in the Bay Area since joining Major League Soccer, and he didn’t disappoint. From near-misses to last-second drama, the atmosphere was electric from start to finish.

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Messi didn’t just arrive for the game. He turned the city into a soccer festival. Fans camped out near Inter Miami’s hotel all week. There was even a block party in his honor Tuesday night. For many, seeing the World Cup-winning legend live was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

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When Messi finally stepped onto the field, the stadium erupted. Every time he touched the ball, phones came out, and cheers followed. He had multiple chances to score, including a sharp free kick late in the first half and a close-range shot in stoppage time that was stopped cold by Quakes goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Britto.

Though he didn’t find the back of the net, Messi’s presence was felt. He helped set up Tadeo Allende’s second goal, showcasing his trademark vision and calm under pressure.

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How Did the Action Unfold on the Field?

The match started with fireworks. Just 35 seconds in, Maximiliano Falcon headed home a cross from Jordi Alba to give Miami a quick 1-0 lead. But San Jose answered just over two minutes later with a Cristian Arango goal assisted by Cristian Espinoza. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it was only the fifth time in MLS history both teams scored in the first three minutes of play.

The goals didn’t stop there.

San Jose’s Beau Leroux put the Quakes ahead 2-1 in the 37th minute, but Allende leveled the match again seven minutes later. Right before the break, Ian Harkes launched a left-footed strike from outside the box to give San Jose a 3-2 lead going into halftime.

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Then came the second half, and more Messi magic. In the 52nd minute, he helped engineer a smooth team move that ended with a pass from Baltasar Rodríguez and an easy finish by Allende. The match was tied once again, and tension carried through the final whistle.

Messi’s last chance came deep in stoppage time, but De Sousa Britto made a huge save to preserve the draw. While Miami remains shaky on defense—having allowed at least three goals in three of their last four games—they still managed to escape with a point.

What’s Next for These Two Clubs?

San Jose stays unbeaten in their last three matches, showing strong signs of growth under coach Bruce Arena. With goals coming from multiple players and a solid home performance, the Quakes look ready to climb the standings.

Miami, on the other hand, needs to tighten up at the back. Despite fielding a team full of stars including Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, they’ve been inconsistent lately. The good news? Messi looks sharp and healthy. And when he’s on the field, anything’s possible.

As the sun set over San Jose and fans filed out with wide smiles, one thing was clear: the Bay Area had just witnessed something special. Even without a game-winner, Messi’s magic left its mark.